Effects of climate change on sewer system performance

摘要

Although there is still considerable uncertainty over the magnitude of future climate change, it is generally accepted that future rainfall patterns in the UK are likely to be significantly different from the present day (Kerr et al, 1999, Futter and Lang, 2001). Changes in climate will differ from one part of the UK to another and climate will be less predictable year on year. Winters are likely to become wetter overall and although summers are predicted to become drier, the less frequent rain events are likely to be much more severe, with greater rainfall intensity. Since rainfall is the primary input to sewerage systems it follows that increased flooding and increased spills from combined sewer overflows can be expected. Increases in mean sea level will affect tide locked outfalls and decreases in summer river base flows will worsen impacts from continuous and intermittent discharges. Increased base flows due to increased infiltration may also impact on sewage treatment works operation.