86 



7 



areas were principally via sewage system discharges, coirbined 

 sewer overflows (CSOs) , stonri drains, and improper waste 

 management practices. ■'■ 



Many older communities employ "combined sewers" that 

 commingle wastewater and stonnwater and feed it to a regulator, 

 which directs the combined flow to the treatment plant . In wet 

 weather the combined sewer flow receives high volumes of 

 stormwater which exceed the capabilities of the sewage treatment 

 plant. Under these conditions, the regulator allows the 



discharge of the combined flows with raw sewage and runoff 



containing oil, grease, lead, chromium, pesticides and other 

 suspended solids -- directly into estuaries and coastal waters. 



CSOs and stormwater discharges pollute receiving waters, 

 restrict our uses of the water, pose health risks, degrade the 

 aesthetics of our waterways and coastlines, endanger fish and 

 wildlife, and cause our cities and states to suffer economically. 

 CMC's report on CSOs, entitled "America's Pipe Dream," noted that 

 approximately 43 million people in the U.S. are serviced from 

 1,2 00 combined- sewer systems. These CSOs empty into 15,000- 

 20,000 discharge points, which impair about 36% of our nation's 

 coast line.*^ 



Adverse effects from CSOs and stormwater discharges include 

 potentially dangerous pathogens and fecal bacteria from human and 

 animal wastes that can force closures of beaches and shellfish 

 beds. Sewage also contains nutrients, organic-rich matter, and 

 suspended solids, which can enrich nutrient concentrations and 



