What challenges do wastewater treatment facilities face as a result of climate change?

Wastewater treatment facilities encounter several challenges due to climate change, and increased precipitation and rising temperatures play a significant role in these challenges. As temperatures rise, the water bodies that treatment facilities rely on can experience changes in temperature, which can affect the efficiency of processes such as biological treatment. Warmer water can lead to increased nutrient loading and algae growth, which can complicate treatment processes.

Additionally, increased precipitation can lead to more frequent and intense storm events, causing flooding and overwhelming wastewater systems. These events can exceed the capacity of treatment facilities, leading to untreated wastewater being released into the environment, which poses significant public health risks and can result in environmental harm.

Together, the combination of increased precipitation and rising temperatures necessitates adaptations and improvements in wastewater treatment infrastructure to maintain effective operations and protect water quality.