What impact does excessive flooding due to climate change have on wastewater treatment facilities?

Excessive flooding caused by climate change significantly affects wastewater treatment facilities by potentially leading to overflow and treatment challenges. When facilities are inundated with heavy rainfall and flooding, they may become overwhelmed, causing the systems to exceed their capacity. This can result in untreated or partially treated sewage being released into the environment, creating public health hazards and damaging ecosystems.

Additionally, the structural integrity of treatment facilities can be compromised during severe weather events, necessitating costly repairs and recovery efforts, which further complicate operational capabilities. The ability of wastewater treatment processes to effectively manage and treat wastewater is critically challenged during such events, emphasizing the importance of infrastructure resilience and adaptive management strategies in the face of climate change.