Are today’s stormwater systems safe chemical filters for toxic micropollutants? (SAFESTORM)

The overall objective of SAFESTORM is to improve the knowledge on occurrence of toxic micropollutants in urban stormwater and to evaluate whether today’s stormwater systems sufficiently protect surface waters (incl. drinking water supplies) from toxic substances.

Runoff rainwater from urbanized areas is typically collected in constructed treatment ponds and then released to surface water without further purification.

Traditionally, toxicity of storm water and efficiency of its treatment systems are evaluated through analysis of a limited set of micropollutants (mainly metals and PAHs).

We will use the latest advances in high resolution mass spectrometry combined with an array of bioassays (toxicity tests) to identify emerging chemical hazards and to evaluate whether treatment ponds act as the robust and adequate chemical filters that they ought to be.

We will perform field studies at two contrasting sites: i) a large, traditional pond and ii) a top-modern, recently established system representing a so-called blue-green stormwater infrastructure design.

SAFESTORM will help storm water treatment operators and the society to develop new knowledge on water quality impact with regards to toxic micropollutants released from storm water systems and to take informed decisions about future investments towards sustainable stormwater management.

It will also help authorities and other stakeholders to prioritize among chemicals of potential human and ecotoxicological concern.