Abstract
The history of wastewater discharges to the Hudson River watershed from Troy, New York, to the New York City Harbor was traced from 1900 to 2000. The parameters studied include population, flow, type of treatment, biochemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. This paper details a methodology for estimating historic loadings where data are lacking. The data show dramatic changes in wastewater loadings. There has been a continued increase in wastewater flow and population over the past century but a decrease in contaminant loading during the last 25 years. The reduction in effluent loads is directly related to state and federal water quality management programs and the substantial public and private investment made in upgrading point source water pollution control infrastructure. A comparison of point with nonpoint source loads shows that although nonpoint sources are now a significant contributor of contaminants to the river, point sources remain as major sources of total nitrogen and total phosphorus.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Water environment research : a research publication of the Water Environment Federation
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.