The number of combined sewer overflows in the United States has increased in recent years. From January 1 to June 10, 2024, 765 combined sewer overflows occurred in the U.S., already overshadowing the number of cases reported at the beginning of the century. A combined sewer system collects rainwater, and domestic and industrial wastewater into one pipe, to later be transported to a treatment plant. When the capacity of these systems gets exceeded, untreated runoff flows to nearby waterbodies. In the U.S. combined sewers are mostly located in the Northeast.
Number of combined sewer overflows in the United States from 2001 to 2024
Only approximately 700 communities in the U.S. have combined sewer systems. Such communities are mostly located in the northeast and around the Great Lakes.
Statista calculated the figures based on the data available on the EPA website.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
Statista. (June 9, 2024). Number of combined sewer overflows in the United States from 2001 to 2024 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 03, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1498922/number-combined-sewer-overflows-usa-timeline/
Statista. "Number of combined sewer overflows in the United States from 2001 to 2024." Chart. June 9, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 03, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1498922/number-combined-sewer-overflows-usa-timeline/
Statista. (2024). Number of combined sewer overflows in the United States from 2001 to 2024. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 03, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1498922/number-combined-sewer-overflows-usa-timeline/
Statista. "Number of Combined Sewer Overflows in The United States from 2001 to 2024." Statista, Statista Inc., 9 Jun 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1498922/number-combined-sewer-overflows-usa-timeline/
Statista, Number of combined sewer overflows in the United States from 2001 to 2024 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1498922/number-combined-sewer-overflows-usa-timeline/ (last visited December 03, 2024)
Number of combined sewer overflows in the United States from 2001 to 2024 [Graph], Statista, June 9, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1498922/number-combined-sewer-overflows-usa-timeline/
