Im Rahmen einer etwa zweijährigen Studie wurde für Berlin erstmals das Ausmaß der Belastung von Regenabfluss mit Spurenstoffen durch ein einjähriges Monitoringprogramm in Einzugsgebieten unterschiedlicher Stadtstrukturtypen unter- sucht. Das Programm umfasste mehr als 100 Spurenstoffe einschließlich 20 Biozide bzw. Pestizide. Die höchsten Konzen- trationen dieser Stoffgruppe wurden für Mecoprop (max: 6,9 µg/L) und Glyphosat (max: 4,6 µg/L) gefunden. Für die Mehr- zahl der Stoffe gab es dabei signifikante Unterschiede zwischen den Stadtstrukturen. Für einige Substanzen (z.B. Carbendazim, Terbutryn) und Einzugsgebiete wurden im Regenwasserabfluss Umweltqualitätsnormen (UQN) für Ge- wässer überschritten. Proben, die zusätzlich bei Regenwetter in einem Fließgewässer genommen wurden, zeigen, dass es auch im Gewässer zur Überschreitung von zulässigen Höchst- konzentrationen (ZHK-UQN) bei Regen kommen kann.

Beside inputs from wastewater treatment plants, untreated stormwater runoff can also be an important source of pollutants affecting urban surface waters. To evaluate the relevance of micropollutants in urban stormwater runoff for the city of Berlin, an event-based, one-year monitoring program was conducted in five homogeneous catchments of different urban structure types. Volume proportional samples were analysed for a comprehensive set of ~100 micropollutants (e.g. biocides/pesticides, plasticisers, flame retardants, PAH, heavy metals) as well as standard parameters (TSS, total P, phosphate, ammonium, COD, BOD). Micropollutant concentrations found in stormwater runoff were extrapolated to annual loads for the city of Berlin (impervious connected area of ~170 km2) based on the concentration patterns found in each of the five specific city structure types. Results show that micropollutants of several substance types can enter Berlin surface waters at loads in the order of 10-700 kg/yr via stormwater runoff. These loads are in a similar order of magnitude as micropollutants that enter Berlin surface waters via (treated) sewage, such as pharmaceutical residues carbamazepine or ibuprofen.

Swimming in urban surface waters is still an exception in European cities. At the same time there are numerous initiatives trying to achieve a quality of urban surface waters that allows recreational activities including swimming. In order to manage bathing waters properly the EU Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC) demands the elaboration of bathing water profiles in which sources of pollution have to be assessed. In order to investigate the relevance of stormwater as a source of microbial contamination as well as the influence of catchment characteristics on the faecal loading, E.Coli, intestinal Enterococci and colony counts have been measured in event related stormwater samples of three different catchment areas in Berlin. The catchment areas were chosen to be as homogeneous as possible representing catchments of old housing buildings (OLD), new housing buildings (NEW), and commercial areas (COM). N-Formylaminoantipyrine (FAA) was measured as a tracer for raw wastewater. Results showed elevated concentrations (1-2 log units) of faecal indicator organisms (FIO) in catchment OLD (104-105 in comparison to 103 cfu/100mL) suggesting illicit connections of wastewater discharges to rainwater drains, which is supported by elevated concentrations of FAA in the same catchment type. This underlines the relevance of these illicit connections as a source of hygienic contamination, which has to be considered when planning urban bathing water activities.

Untreated stormwater runoff can be an important source of pollutants affecting urban surface waters. To investigate the relevance of micropollutants in urban stormwater runoff for the city of Berlin, an event-based, one-year monitoring program for sampling of separate storm sewers was conducted. Monitoring points were selected in five homogeneous catchments of different urban structure types to consider catchment-specific differences. Volume proportional samples (one composite sample per event) were analysed for a comprehensive set of ~100 micropollutants determined from literature review (e.g. plasticisers [phthalates], biocides/pesticides, flame retardants [organophosphates, polybrominated diphenylethers], PAH, heavy metals) as well as standard parameters (TSS, total P, phosphate, ammonium, COD, BOD). For selected storm events, time resolved samples were analysed to investigate the concentration dynamics and evaluate first flush characteristics. Results of event mean concentrations show catchment-specific differences for the majority of detected micropollutants. Furthermore, results of time-resolved samples indicate that most parameters do not show clear first flush effects with concentrations of several micropollutants even remaining constant during the course of the storm event (e.g. mecoprop, carbendazim, TBEP).

Im Rahmen einer etwa zweijährigen Studie wurde für Berlin erstmals das Ausmaß der Belastung von Regenabfluss mit Spurenstoffen durch ein einjähriges Monitoringprogramm in Einzugsgebieten unterschiedlicher Stadtstrukturtypen (Altbau, Neubau, Gewerbe, Einfamilienhäuser, Straßen) untersucht. Insgesamt wurden über 90 volumenproportionale Mischproben auf etwa 100 Spurenstoffe analysiert (z.B. Phthalate, Pestizide/Biozide, Flammschutzmittel, PAK, Schwermetalle), von denen ein Großteil (>70) detektiert wurde. Die höchsten Konzentrationen an organischen Spuren- stoffen wurden für Phthalate gefunden (DIDP+DINP: Ø 12 µg/L), während Schwermetalle von Zink dominiert wurden (Ø 950 µg/L). Für die Mehrzahl der Stoffe gab es dabei signifikante Unterschiede zwischen den Stadtstrukturen. In einem Fließgewässer genommene Proben zeigen, dass für einige Substanzen (z.B. DEHP, Carbendazim, einige PAK) Umweltqualitätsnormen im Gewässer bei Regen überschritten werden können. Eine Hochrechnung der über das Regenwasser in die Gewässer gelangenden Spurenstofffrachten für Gesamt-Berlin hat ergeben, dass Frachten regenwasserbürtiger Spurenstoffe in der gleichen Größenordnung wie schmutzwasserbürtige Spurenstoffe liegen können.

We investigate water quality of a small urban river during dry and wet weather conditions, including both standard parameters and trace organics. The monitored river stretch receives both effluents from WWTP as well as (separate) stormwater runoff of an impervious area of 11 km2. Results show increases in concentrations in the river during rain events with a factor > 20 for zinc, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, two herbicides and one flame retardant. Also, substances which are expected both in WWTP effluent and in stormwater effluents were detected at important concentrations in the river during wet weather, such as the corrosion inhibitor Benzotriazole (0.8 µg/L on average) and the plasticizer Diisodecyl phthalate (4.0 µg/L on average). The presented results are preliminary and will be complemented by more results and substances as well as an assessment of the relevance of the findings.

A study is conducted to determine the relevance of micropollutants in urban stormwater runoff. To evaluate for the first time city-wide annual loads of stormwater-based micropollutants entering urban surface waters, an event-based, one-year monitoring program was set up in separate storm sewers in Berlin. Monitoring points were selected in 5 catchments of different urban structures (old building areas <1930, newer building areas >1950, single houses with gardens, roads >7500 vehicles/day and commercial areas) to consider catchment-specific differences. Storm events of different characteristics were sampled up to four hours during different seasons by automatic samplers triggered by flow meters. Volume-proportional samples (one composite sample per event) were analysed for a set of 100 parameters including 85 organic micropollutants (e.g. flame retardants, phthalates, pesticides/biocides, PAH), heavy metals and standard parameters. So far (70/88 samples), 60 organic micropollutants were at least once detected in stormwater runoff of the investigated catchment types. Concentrations were highest for phthalates with average concentrations of 13 µg/L for diisodecyl phthalate. For heavy metals, concentrations were highest for zinc (average: 950 µg/L). Results also showed catchment-specific differences for many compounds as well as seasonal differences for selected pollutants which can be used to improve micropollutant strategies and potentially prevent loads at the source.

Untreated stormwater runoff can be an important source of pollutants affecting urban surface waters. For example, in Berlin each year 78% or 54 million m³ of stormwater are discharged mostly untreated into receiving surface waters. Beside “classic” stormwater pollutants (e.g. suspended solids, COD, phosphorous or heavy metals), trace organic substances such as biocides, plasticizers, flame retardants and traffic related micropollutants (e.g. vulcanizing accelerators originating from tire wear or combustion by-products such as PAHs) started to come into focus in recent years (Zgheib et al. 2012, Gasperi et al. 2014). To evaluate for the first time city-wide annual loads of these trace organic substances entering urban surface waters through stormwater discharge, an event-based, one-year monitoring program was set up in the city of Berlin.

In recent years, the effect of urbanization on the quality of stormwater runoff gained increased attention including investigations on micropollutants. Especially in cities dominated by separated sewer systems, stormwater runoff containing micropollutants from anthropogenic origin is discharged mostly untreated into surface waters and therefore a potential source of high loads of pollutants. In a one year monitoring campaign stormwater runoff from five different catchments in Berlin is analyzed for major groups of micropollutants such as phthalates, organophosphates, organotin-compounds, biocides/pesticides, PAH’s, alkylphenols, polybrominated diphenylether, polychlorinated biphenyls and heavy metals. Sampling sites are equipped with automatic samplers, flow and water level meters in order to prepare flow proportional composite samples (recommended sampling strategy according to DIN ISO 5667-10). First results show that all groups of micropollutants were found in at least one catchment type in concentrations > 2 µg/L. Concentrations of the different micropollutant groups vary depending on the catchment types. So far, no organotin-compounds, polybrominated diphenylether or polychlorinated biphenyls were determined.

Micropollutant concentrations found in stormwater runoff were extrapolated to annual loads at the scale of the city of Berlin (impervious connected area of ~170 km2). Extrapolation was done by city structure, i.e., it was assumed that concentration patterns found in one of five specific city structure types is representative for every area of this structure type. Preliminary results show that micropollutants of several substance types can enter Berlin surface waters at loads in the order of kg/yr via stormwater runoff: plasticizers (e.g., sum of Di-iso-decylphthalate and Di-iso-nonylphthalate at 770 kg/yr), flame retardants (e.g., tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP) at 89 kg/yr), biocides from different sources (e.g., Glyphosate at 17 kg/yr and Mecoprop at 30 kg/yr), vulcanizing accelerator benzothiazole (as sum of benzothiazole and metabolites methylthiobenzothiazole and hydroxybenzothiazole at 65 kg/yr) and combustion byproduct polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAH 16 (sum of 16 EPA PAH at 107 kg/yr). These loads are in a similar order of magnitude as micropollutants that enter Berlin surface waters via (treated) sewage, such as pharmaceutical residues carbamazepine and ibuprofen with estimated annual loads of 436 kg/yr and 35 kg/yr, respectively.