Coastal Wastewater Systems and the Mitigation of Geohazards

San Francisco, Athens, Boston, and Singapore are among the major coastal cities of the world whose wastewater systems, including marine outfalls, are located in very challenging natural and anthropogenic environments. Assessment of regional geotechnical conditions early in the site selection and overall design process substantially reduced costs by identifying factors that might require extensive variations from anticipated designs. Knowledge of the potential hazards and risks resulted in realistic geotechnical and oceanographic investigative programs, analyses, designs, and cost estimates. Geohazards and other factors important to the design and construction of these coastal wastewater systems are discussed herein.