Combined Sewer Overflow System
General Information
The White River is a beautiful waterway and a wonderful resource for the
citizens of Anderson. The river provides a place to enjoy a wide range of
recreational activities including fishing, canoeing, and observing wildlife. We
must all work together to protect and enhance this resource for Anderson’s
citizens and future generations.
Protecting water quality and natural habitat in the White River and its
tributaries starts with looking at the sources of stream pollution. Anderson’s
combined sewer overflows (CSOs) are one of many sources of pollution contributing
to the water quality of the White River. Please take a few minutes to review
this information to better understand how Anderson’s CSOs affect the water
quality of the White River.
To view a map of the locations of the Anderson's Active CSO Discharge Points click here.
What is a combined sewer overflow (CSO)?
To understand combined sewer overflows it is important to understand what
a combined sewer system is. Over 100 years ago cities recognized the need
to construct sewers to carry sewage away from homes and businesses to protect
public health. Originally sewers were designed to carry both sewage and
stormwater directly to streams and rivers. The natural biological processes
in streams and rivers broke down the organic waste from the sewage. This
system was adequate until the growing population created too much waste for
the river to clean up naturally. Today scientists understand that the bacteria
and viruses contained within combined sewage can create a potential health
hazard when discharged to our waterways.
Currently the combined sewer system carries sewage from our homes and businesses
to the Anderson wastewater treatment plant instead of the river. However,
when it rains or there is a large amount of snowmelt, excess water that enters
the combined sewer system through catch basins and other drainage structures
can exceed the capacity of combined sewer system and the wastewater treatment
plant. When this occurs the excess water is discharged to the White River
through CSO outfall structures. This is illustrated in CSO Figure 1. and CSO
Figure 2.
CSO Figure 1.
CSO Figure 2.
Many older cities in the Great Lakes, Middle Atlantic and Northeast regions
have combined sewer systems. There are approximately 950 communities in
the U.S. with combined sewer overflows. In
Indiana, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management has identified
105 CSO communities.
What impacts do CSOs have on water quality?
Sewage, household, automobile, and other waste flowing into rivers and streams
can cause:
- A health hazard for people – combined sewage may contain harmful bacteria and
viruses such as E. coli that can make people sick. A few things you can
do to project yourself and your family are:
- People should avoid contact with all urban streams in the Anderson area
during and for at least 72 hours after a rain event or a period of rapid
snowmelt.
- Parents should teach children to never play in or near a stream or river without
adult supervision.
- Everyone should thoroughly wash their hands and face after contact with any stream,
river or lake.
- If you wade in or fall into a waterway you should take a bath or shower when
you return home.
- Damage to habitat and aquatic life – organic waste, like sewage, can contribute
to impaired water quality by causing dissolved oxygen levels in our streams
to fall. Other chemicals that build up on streets and rooftops can damage
the habitat of different kinds of aquatic life.
- A nuisance to people near the river – sewage and trash from CSOs can look and
smell bad, driving people away from the area and lowering the quality of
life for all of Anderson’s citizens.
What is being done about Anderson’s CSOs?
The City of Anderson is working to solve the problems caused by CSOs. The
City’s sewer system maintenance program now virtually eliminates all dry-weather overflow.
Existing sewer systems and wastewater treatment facilities are being used
more efficiently and effectively to reduce overflows.
The City of Anderson is developing a long-term plan that will include goals
for CSOs, control measure options, and their corresponding costs and effectiveness.
Addressing CSOs can be expensive, so we must consider our options carefully
and find the most cost-effective use for available resources.
You can be part of the solution. By understanding our systems, and by keeping
informed along the way, you can help your government make the best decisions
on this serious and complex issue. Your participation is vital to ensure
future generations will be able to enjoy clean waterways.
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