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CSO -
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 CSO is an abbreviation for Combined Sewer Overflows. CSO is a point source discharge from the Combined Sewer Systems (CSS) that is caused by snow melts or storm water runoff. CSS are sewers designed to collect storm water runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater in the same pipe. During rain events, when storm water enters the sewers, the capacity of the sewer system to carry the combined wastewater to the local treatment plant may be exceeded and the excess wastewater will discharge directly to the receiving water, hence, combined sewer overflows.
Fewer people care about CSOs or care to know its effects. The only time it has cut more people’s attention is when a major discharge occurs, and when it noticeably interferes with their recreational activities during summer time and/or when such event generates media attention.
CSO discharges may contain high levels of suspended solids, toxic chemicals, floatable material and other pollutants that can degrade the water quality of surface waters. CSO discharge from a CSS can also result in beach closures, and contamination of drinking water supplies. The good news is that under the EPA's CSO Control Policy, public drinking water intakes are categorized as "sensitive areas." The Policy requires that "sensitive areas" be given highest priority when developing an abatement – Long Term Control Plan – to eliminate or reduce CSO discharges.  Contamination by CSO and other sources may result in potentially harmful pathogenic bacteria, giardia and viruses. The presence of these unwanted contaminants in drinking water concerns many people. This has also driven some people to buy bottled water. However, there is an ongoing understanding that bottled water is no safer than most tap water. It can also be said that water suppliers generally distribute water that is fit to drink. Treatment process includes preliminary screening of debris such as leaves, rags and other large objects; sedimentation using gravity to settle floating and settleable materials; filtration by passing water through beds of porous material to remove the smallest particles; and disinfection to remove or kill pathogenic bacterial. The solution for home owners or apartment dwellers to allay the fear of drinking contaminated water is by water filtration systems. You should first find out what’s in your water before deciding to buy a water purifier. The departmental store or internet search should be the last step after you have ran your water through a certified testing laboratory. The laboratory will identify the type of contaminants in your water. It is also important to locate a state certified laboratory. Some labs are certified for a particular contaminant but not for others. You may contact your state health or environmental departments for information on certified laboratories. A detailed analysis of your drinking water is necessary before purchasing a water filter. It should be noted that not all water filters can resolve every drinking water problem. If you are planning to buy a water purifier, it is best to look for the one that will remove the contaminant that lab identified as present in your water. Drinking water filter systems come as Point-of-Entry (POE) or as Point-of-Use (POU). Each filter case has a cartridge filter that removes the pollutants. The basic type – or single stage filter – is designed to remove sediment, rust and heavy metals typically present in well water, or metals that may have leached from home pipes. Activated carbon filtration, Reverse osmoses filtration, and distillation systems are good for pesticide removal. Also, to make sure you will buy a purifier that performs satisfactorily, it is best to look for water filters that have been certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). |
