What can excessive inflow and infiltration (IandI) lead to in a wastewater treatment facility?

Excessive inflow and infiltration (I&I) refers to the unwanted water that enters the wastewater collection system from various sources, such as groundwater, stormwater, or leaks in the sewer system. When this occurs, it can significantly increase the volume of water that a wastewater treatment facility has to process.

One of the primary consequences of this surplus volume is that it can overwhelm the treatment capacity of the facility. Wastewater treatment plants are designed to handle specific flow rates and loads, and an influx of extra water can lead to a variety of operational challenges. For instance, it may result in hydraulic overloads, where the plant cannot efficiently process the volume, thus causing untreated or partially treated wastewater to be released into the environment. Additionally, the excess flow can impact the treatment process by diluting the wastewater, making it more difficult to remove pollutants effectively.

This phenomenon does not improve efficiency, reduce operational costs, or enhance pollutant removal, as suggested by the other options. Instead, it poses a significant risk to the facility's performance and compliance with environmental regulations. Therefore, understanding I&I and its impacts is crucial for managing wastewater systems effectively.