Combined Sewer Overflow Training
New Webinar Series
Communities with Combined Sewers Adapting to a Changing Climate
EPA hosted a three-part webinar series on communities with combined sewers adapting to a changing climate in 2024. The impacts of climate change, such as changes in annual precipitation, storm intensity, storm surge, and/or sea level rise, are anticipated to impact the performance of many combined sewer systems and influence the volume and frequency of combined sewer overflows, sanitary sewer overflows, and basement backups. Several communities shared their stories on how they are impacted by and have adapted to climate change.
For details, see CSO webcast series flyer (pdf)
Part 1
This webinar features the Buffalo Sewer Authority in New York and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District in Wisconsin. Both communities are facing more extreme precipitation events and increased storm intensity due to their proximity to the Great Lakes. Strategies used to address these changes include updating weather models, using real-time controls to increase storage within the sewer collection system, and implementing green infrastructure.
CSO Communities Adapting to Climate Change, Part 1 - Presentation (pdf)
Part 2
This webinar features the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority in New Jersey and the City of Spokane, Washington. Both communities are facing more intense storm events and are incorporating environmental justice considerations into their planning. Strategies used to address flooding and reduce combined sewer overflows include integrated planning, climate modeling, green infrastructure, and real-time controls.
CSO Communities Adapting to Climate Change, Part 2 - Presentation (pdf)
Part 3
This webinar features the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, the Great Lakes Water Authority in Michigan, and the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority in Pennsylvania. Strategies used to address climate challenges include asset management, implementing stormwater ordinances, green infrastructure, and developing projected design storms.
CSO Communities Adapting to Climate Change, Part 3 - Presentation (pdf)
Recorded Learning Modules and Webinars
The EPA learning modules and webinars below explain the regulatory framework and share technical considerations for implementing the combined sewer overflow (CSO) program. Designed for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit writers, permittees, EPA officials, and other interested stakeholders, they can be reviewed on demand at your own pace.
CSO Control Policy
- CSO Control Policy 101
- Small Communities and the CSO Control Policy: Options and Tools for Complying with the Policy, Including the LTCP-EZ Tool
CSO Long-Term Control Plan
CSO Control Technologies
- Combined Sewer Overflow Control Technologies, Part 1
- Combined Sewer Overflow Control Technologies, Part 2
Monitoring and Modeling
- Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Model for Small Communities
- Post-Construction Compliance Monitoring (PCCM) Checklist
Smart Sewers
- Smart Sewer Systems and Smart Data Infrastructure, Part 1
- Smart Sewer Systems and Smart Data Infrastructure, Part 2
Technical Assistance
- In addition to training, EPA offers technical assistance to CSO permittees and state NPDES permitting authorities that may lack the necessary resources or have questions on complying with the CSO Control Policy and Clean Water Act. Learn about available technical assistance.
CSO Control Policy 101
This webinar provides an overview of the CSO Control Policy and discusses the roles of permittees, NPDES permitting and enforcement authorities, and state water quality standards authorities.
Small Communities and the CSO Control Policy: Options and Tools for Complying with the Policy, Including the LTCP-EZ Tool
This webinar discusses options and tools available to small communities under the CSO Control Policy for developing the nine minimum controls and LTCP.
CSO Long-Term Control Plan Basics
This webinar explains the nine elements of the LTCP: characterization, monitoring, and modeling of the combined sewer system; public participation; consideration of sensitive areas; evaluation of alternatives; cost/performance considerations; operational plan; maximizing treatment at the existing publicly owned treatment works treatment plant; implementation schedule; and post-construction compliance monitoring program.
Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP) Review Checklist
This self-paced training course is designed for CSO permittees and NPDES permitting authorities. Each slide is accompanied by narration and walks you through how to use the LTCP Review Checklist. For the optimal training experience, you may need to adjust the zoom setting on your browser. Once the narration has ended, you will need to click on the navigation bar or green arrow to progress to the next slide.
Combined Sewer Overflow Control Technologies, Part 1
This webinar provides an overview of CSO control technology costs, operations and maintenance requirements, and pollutant removal performance specific to source controls; collection system controls; storage technologies; and treatment technologies.
Combined Sewer Overflow Control Technologies, Part 2
This webinar provides an overview of CSO control technology costs, operations and maintenance requirements, and pollutant removal performance specific to ballasted flocculation; chemical disinfection; degritting; filtration; flow control; screening; settling; UV disinfection; and vortex separation.
Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Model for Small Communities
This self-paced training course is designed for small CSO communities. Each slide is accompanied by narration and walks you through how to use the CSO Model for Small Communities. For the optimal training experience, you may need to adjust the zoom setting on your browser. Once the narration has ended, you will need to click on the navigation bar or green arrow to progress to the next slide.
Post-Construction Compliance Monitoring (PCCM) Checklist
This self-paced training course is designed for CSO permittees and NPDES permitting authorities. Each slide is accompanied by narration and walks you through how to use the PCCM Checklist. For the optimal training experience, you may need to adjust the zoom setting on your browser. Once the narration has ended, you will need to click on the navigation bar or green arrow to progress to the next slide.
Smart Sewer Systems and Smart Data Infrastructure, Part 1
This webinar highlights how South Bend, Indiana and Cincinnati, Ohio have implemented smart sewers to improve their sewer system management and decision-making. Smart sewers are sewer systems that use real-time monitoring, modeling, data processing and analytics, and artificial intelligence/machine learning to improve a collection system’s ability to manage wet weather and other infrastructure challenges.
Smart Sewer Systems and Smart Data Infrastructure, Part 2
This webinar highlights how Columbus, Ohio and Buffalo, New York have implemented smart sewers to improve their sewer system management and decision-making. Smart sewers are sewer systems that use real-time monitoring, modeling, data processing and analytics, and artificial intelligence/machine learning to improve a collection system’s ability to manage wet weather and other infrastructure challenges.