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Microplastic accumulation in sewer systems and their pathways to the environment along with combined sewer overflows
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This study examines how microplastics accumulate in urban sewer systems and the pathways through which they enter the environment, particularly through combined sewer overflows during storm events. Understanding these infrastructure pathways is critical for controlling microplastic release into rivers and coastal waters.
International audience
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During heavy rainfall events in Paris, sewer sediments containing densely accumulated microplastics — up to 178,000 particles per kilogram of dry sediment — are resuspended and discharged directly into rivers via combined sewer overflows. This previously overlooked pathway means that stormwater overflow events can rapidly transfer large quantities of microplastics stored in urban sewer networks into freshwater ecosystems.
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This study investigated the occurrence and fate of microplastics in the combined sewer network of Paris, tracking particles from urban inputs through the wastewater system. Significant amounts of microplastics were found throughout the system, with storm events increasing concentrations. Combined sewer overflow events can release untreated microplastic-laden water directly into rivers during heavy rain.
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Researchers measured microplastic levels in sewer sediments in Paris and found extremely high concentrations, similar in composition to raw wastewater. During heavy rain events, these contaminated sediments get flushed into rivers through sewer overflows, releasing large amounts of microplastics into the environment. The study reveals that urban sewer systems are a significant hidden reservoir of microplastic pollution that can rapidly contaminate waterways used for recreation and drinking water.
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Researchers investigated microplastic concentrations and characteristics in combined sewer overflow events through experimental study, finding that overflow discharges transport significant quantities of microplastic particles directly to surface waters, bypassing wastewater treatment and representing a major urban microplastic pathway.
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When it rains heavily in cities, sewer systems can overflow directly into rivers and streams, and this study found that these overflow events dump massive amounts of microplastics into urban waterways—especially right at the start of a storm, when pollution levels spiked up to 10 times higher than later in the event. Since these waterways can feed into drinking water sources or places where fish are caught for food, understanding this overlooked pollution pathway matters for tracking how microplastics make their way into the environment and, potentially, our bodies.
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