Why You Need To Be Prepared For The Next Superstorm (And How To Do It)

As weather patterns change, the risk of serious storms increases, posing a threat to wastewater and stormwater systems. Sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) and combined sewer overflows (CSOs) are the most prominent threats, but storms can also cause overtax infrastructure, power outages, and damage to pump stations and treatment plants. Municipalities and wastewater system managers must be prepared for these possibilities. However, budgetary issues, politics, and overconfidence can hinder or deter storm preparation, resulting in costly and serious environmental, health, and safety hazards for the community.

Developing a storm preparedness plan is critical for wastewater system managers to overcome obstacles to storm preparedness. The plan should consider areas that will be most affected, determine infrastructure conditions, design a solution and compile a bill of materials, and create a list of procedures. Municipalities must also convince leaders to include additional funds for storm preparation by reminding them of the potential economic damage that could occur. Municipal leaders who prepare their wastewater systems in advance of storms can publicly tout their ability to keep their communities healthy and clean, building public trust.