Currently little data exist on the impacts of CSOs on winter water quality and of climate change on CSO events. We investigated the impacts of CSOs on water quality from November to March in the Capital District. Nitrate and phosphate levels were steady, however concentrations for ammonium were significantly higher in dry weather months. None of our samples, including non-CSO event samples, passed EPA standards for Escherichia coli, and few samples passed for Enterrococcus. Low turbidity levels did not necessarily indicate safe bacteria levels. Climate change is predicted to increase the frequency of CSO events in this region and extend the season of CSO events into the winter months.
