Smart CSO Control Plans
Many of New Jersey’s oldest cities still rely on combined sewer systems — systems in which stormwater runoff from city streets feeds into sewer lines and is treated, along with sewage, by treatment plants. Some of these systems are more than 100 years old.
During heavy rainfalls the volume of stormwater in the older, combined systems can overwhelm the capacity of the treatment plant. When that happens, combined sewage can overflow into area waterways, or back up into streets, public spaces such as parks, and sometimes even residential basements. This makes the sewage treatment plant operator vulnerable to lawsuits under the federal Clean Water Act.
Jersey Water Works’ initial efforts involve working with communities and utilities that have combined sewer systems, to help them identify and implement the appropriate combination of strategies to reduce sewer overflows.
An index of resources categorized by their pertinence to the Long-Term Control Plan process and intended for permit holders can be found here: JerseyWaterWorks.org/CSOLTCPresources
Resources
The Power of the Passaic: Paterson’s Birth and Rebirth Along the River
This case study illustrates how water infrastructure serves to improve or impair the quality of life in Paterson. 2014.
Hoboken Emnet Sewer Monitoring Study 2011 Final Report
This report provides an analysis of the data collected by the city of Hoboken’s extensive sewer monitoring system. 2011.
Historic Water: Re-imaging Hobokens Engineered Landscape
This report explores different stormwater interventions within an open-space network that incorporates stormwater infrastructure and the landscape. New Jersey Future. 2013.
Best Management Practices Plan for the Operation and Maintenance of the Combined Sewer, Separate Sanitary Sewer and Separate Stormwater Systems
This document presents industry-accepted standards that a well-run utility uses to operate and maintain its combined sewer system, separate sanitary sewer system, and separate stormwater system. Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority. 2014.
Charting New Waters: Developing an Agenda for Change for New Jersey’s Urban Water Infrastructure
This report provides The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread’s comprehensive description of the 2014 convening that spawned the Agenda for Change and synthesizes the broader range of information, insights and ideas shared during the convening. 2014.
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