Marker Contributions

25 Jul Combined Sewer Overflow Outfalls
Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) is that frothy mix of sewage and polluted stormwater that is released after wet weather in cities with combined sewer systems. Combined sewers collect both sanitary sewage (poop) and runoff from roofs and roads (stormwater). During wet weather, the sewer is filled to capacity and additional untreated CSO is discharged into the nearest waterbody. When this occurs, it is called a "CSO event". In NYC, CSO events occur on average 72 times a year (almost every time it rains) and they are responsible for the annual release of over 27 BILLION gallons of polluted wastewater. This map will add the locations of these outfalls, starting with those along Newtown Creek, one of the nation's most polluted waterways located at almost the geographic center of NYC.