Municipal sewage treatment plants are very effective at breaking down human waste prior to discharging the wastewater into rivers. Why then, do so many U.S. plants continue to cause water quality problems in rivers?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Municipal sewage treatment plants, while effective at breaking down human waste, often struggle with combined sewage and stormwater systems that can release raw sewage during heavy rain events. Additionally, these plants are not very effective at removing heavy metals, hazardous chemicals, or pharmaceuticals from the water, all of which contribute to ongoing water quality issues in rivers.

Municipal Sewage Treatment Plants Are Very Effective at Breaking Down