The Impact of Climate Change on River and Sewer Systems
We all know that climate change is on the rise, but what impact is it having on our everyday water systems, like rivers and sewer systems?
Why is monitoring the impact of climate change crucial?
Monitoring the impact of climate change is essential as it’s negatively impacting our water systems. Shifts in temperature, precipitation and extreme weather events increases flooding, droughts and contamination, disrupting water supplies and harming ecosystems. Effective monitoring helps us better understand trends and make necessary precautions.
Here are 5 ways climate change is affecting our rivers and sewer systems:
1) Increased Rainfall
Increased rainfall is directly affecting our drainage and sewer systems. Heavier rainfall can overwhelm our sewer systems and cause water to backup through drains which can also lead to more contaminants entering our river systems.
2) Altered River flow/Water Levels
Climate change is making rainfall less predictable, changes in precipitation and seasonal cycles can lead to impacts on water availability and quality. Lower water levels can concentrate pollutants, degrade water quality and harm aquatic ecosystems.
3) Increased Extreme Weather Events
With the rise in extreme weather events, storms are becoming more frequent. These storms lead to increased levels of sewage and urban river pollution as runoff carries contaminants into local waterways.
4) Increased Water Temperatures
Climate change is raising the temperatures of rivers, lakes and sewage systems, disrupting aquatic life by reducing oxygen levels, speeding up decomposition and complicating wastewater treatment.
5) Disrupted Wastewater Management
Climate change heightens the risk of wastewater spills and flooding, damaging infrastructure and disrupting services. This can degrade water quality, cause odour issues and pollute local waterways, posing serious health risks to communities and ecosystems dependent on clean water.
How can IETG help monitor climate change on river and sewer systems?
At IETG, we specialise in the monitoring of river and sewer systems. Our advanced equipment is effective at tracking and reporting on key metrics such as flow, quality, temperature, sewer overflow and sampling.
For example, our Sewer Flow Surveys, Temperature Monitoring and Sewer Overflow Monitoring provide information into our sewer systems’ performance, helping to minimise flooding and pollution. Similarly, our River Flow and Water Quality monitoring services enable effective assessment of river water quality and flow.
Get in touch today to see how we can help you monitor sewer and river systems.
