COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOW CONCERNS FOR TIPPECANOE COUNTY, NORTHWEST INDIANA

Combined sewer overflow (CSO) has occurred for over 100 years as a consequence of sewers reaching full capacity from urban rainfall events. Combined sewers developed when sanitary water flow and storm water flow were combined into a single sewer system for convenience as was common practice before the 1950s. When the combined sewer reaches capacity, untreated water is discharged directly into a river or other body of water. Managing (reducing) CSOs is a challenge as each system likely requires a different solution. Presented is a detailed discussion of combined sewer overflow which then considers these factors relative to Tippecanoe County IN, home of Purdue University. The purpose is to examine a combined sewer system as well as a CSO event in order to recognize the importance of managing CSO events and maintain healthy aquatic systems. Considered are the options for managing combined sewer overflows; waste water treatment, and best management practice to reduce sewer discharge. The benefits, consequences and specifics for each option or combination of options are discussed. Finally specifics related to Lafayette, West Lafayette and Purdue University are considered. This final objective is to illustrate how principles of CSO management are applied to a real situation and to examine three different procedures for reducing the number of combined sewer overflow events. The discussion closes with conclusions and predictions related to combined sewer overflow management practice.