Moonshot Missions Releases Combined Sewer Overflow Guidance Document
- Moonshot Missions
- May 22
- 1 min read
Updated: May 27
We are excited to announce the publication of a ‘Combined Sewer Overflow Guidance Document for Wastewater Utilities' developed by Moonshot Missions, with generous funding from the Great Lakes Protection Fund (GLPF). This publication is part of Moonshot Missions’ broader mission to deliver tailored technical assistance and scalable solutions to utilities across the country. We thank Akron Waterways Renewed Program for collaborating with us.
Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) are a common challenge for utilities with older infrastructure, where stormwater and sewage share the same piping system. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as of the most recent federal data from 2004, more than 700 communities, primarily in the Northeast, Midwest, and Great Lakes regions, still operate combined sewer systems. These systems contribute to tens of thousands of overflow events each year, releasing an estimated 850 billion gallons of untreated wastewater and stormwater annually into the nation’s waterways.
This guidance document offers a practical, accessible tool for wastewater utility operators and managers to evaluate their systems and implement cost-effective strategies for mitigating CSOs. The document provides:
An overview of the causes and consequences of CSOs;
Frameworks for assessing system vulnerabilities;
Strategic planning guidance, including green infrastructure and operational improvements;
Case study highlights and lessons learned from the City of Akron’s nationally recognized CSO reduction program.
The Combined Sewer Overflow Guidance Document is now available for download at the button below.
To learn more about Moonshot Missions' work in water equity and utility resilience, visit our Great Lakes Page.
