COMBINED SEWER SYSTEM IMPACT ON THE INTEGRITY OF AN URBAN WATERWAY

Urban waterways are particularly susceptible to human intervention and alteration. Scajaquada Creek, as it passes through the City of Buffalo is no exception to this rule. Since the 1920’s Scajaquada Creek has been channelized in sections, and connected to Buffalo’s Combined Sewer System, receiving sewage effluent. At Forest Lawn Cemetery, where this study takes place, Scajaquada Creek emerges from a 3.5-mile underground pipe known as the Scajaquada Drain, and meets with Combined Sewer Overflow #56. It is at this point that runoff and sewage effluent discharge regularly during rain events. The research presented here observed the Creek, beginning at the mouth of this tunnel, to the Delaware Avenue Overpass. Water quality samples were collected at twenty-three sites during the summer months, which included conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and turbidity. This analysis continued thereafter with monthly testing dates, as well as seasonal Escherichia coli (E. coli) samplings. Previous work by the Army Corps of Engineers only captured a single data set, which did not explain seasonal changes in water quality or E. Coli. It was the objective of this research to create a temporal picture of water quality in order to better advise management decisions and mediate health risks.