Characterisation of urban runoff pollution in Paris

Runoff was collected from 4 roofs, 3 courtyards and 6 streets on an experim ental catchment in central Paris, and analysed for SS, VSS, GOD, BOD5, hydr ocarbons, heavy metals both as regards dissolved and particle fractions. Wh ereas street runoff showed important SS, COD and hydrocarbon loads, roof ru noff was noticeable for its high concentration of heavy metals. These conce ntrations in comparison with water quality standards enhance the importance of runoff pollution. The use of sample settling for runoff treatment is di scussed on the basis of data concerning the distribution between dissolved and particle bound pollution loads, along with settling velocity measuremen ts. Runoff particles were found to be highly contaminated with heavy metals and hydrocarbons, which raised the problem of sludge disposal. (C) 1999 IA WQ Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.