Wastewater Planning Strategy Report Summary

Table of Contents Summary Page Introduction Defining Wastewater Treatment Existing Conditions in the Region Facility Planning Area Process  Wastewater Planning Impacts     Environmental Impacts      Water Quality      Environmental Factors        Air Quality    Health Impacts     Economic Impacts Recommended Approaches      Regional Treatment      Wastewater Treatment Technology       Sludge Disposal      Land Treatment      Water Reuse      Watershed Planning      Non-Point Source Mgt. Tools      Facility Planning Area Tools           Tertiary Treatment      Green Infrastructure      Wetland Polishing Lagoon      Cluster Treatment Systems      Energy Efficient Technology Conclusion References & Acknowledgements

Comprehensive wastewater planning and management is critical to protecting public health and the environment, maintaining a high quality of life, and promoting a sustainable economy. With the population in northeastern Illinois expected to grow to an estimated 10.9 million by 2040, there is an increasing demand for homes, schools, roads, and other infrastructure improvements to serve the population, including wastewater services. Expanding the sewer service area or the capacity of wastewater treatment plants will impact land use patterns which, in turn, degrades the region’s water quality (both surface waters and groundwater).

This report addresses the issue of wastewater planning and management in northeastern Illinois. The first section of the report defines wastewater planning while the second portion addresses its environmental, public health, and economic impacts. The final section outlines strategies currently utilized by wastewater management agencies to mitigate adverse impacts of wastewater and includes some local case studies.

CMAP’s goal is to encourage dialogue among counties, municipalities, designated management agencies (DMAs), and advocacy groups engaging the region in developing comprehensive recommendations to guide the development of the GO TO 2040 plan.

Key Questions:

• Why is wastewater planning critical to protecting public health and the environment?
•  How may wastewater planning be improved to become more protective of the environment?
•  What is a combined sewer overflow and how does it impact your community?
•  What “green” practices may be applied to wastewater planning to protect your community’s environment?

A sample of findings:

Primary Environmental Impacts

• The environmental effects of wastewater planning include impaired water quality and the extinction of oxygen-dependent organisms or animals within the waterbody and physical disturbances to environmental features including wetlands.
• Untreated sewage from combined sewer overflows and sanitary sewer overflows can contaminate the region’s waters, causing serious water quality problems and threaten drinking water supplies since they often carry bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.

Primary Economic Impacts 

• A regional investment of nearly 10 million dollars will likely be required for sanitary sewer infrastructure maintenance and upgrades over the next 20 years.
•  The economic impacts of stormwater runoff, which is directly related to wastewater planning, can alter wetlands, alter an area’s hydrologic functions, and increase impervious surfaces – leading to more frequent and severe flooding.

Continue reading the Wastewater Strategy Report... 

To learn more about this report or ask questions, please contact Dawn Thompson, DThompson (at)cmap.illinois.gov