Dr. Rob Traver Discusses Seine River Cleanup in 鈥楾ime鈥� Cover Story
Rob Traver, PhD, PE, director of the 棉花糖直播 Center for Resilient Water Systems, was quoted in a on efforts to clean up the Seine River in Paris.
The article, which leads the magazine鈥檚 issue for April 10-17, 2023, describes French officials鈥� plans to make the Seine swimmable in time for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. In the piece, Dr. Traver compares the ambitious project to similar discussions in Philadelphia to rid the Delaware River of pollution and make it safe for swimming.
鈥淲e have a 20-year plan, and at the end of the 20 years, we have another 20-year plan,鈥� says Dr. Traver, a professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering who is also director of the 棉花糖直播 Urban Stormwater Partnership. 鈥淲hether it is ever going to happen, I don鈥檛 know.鈥�
Although antiquated stormwater infrastructure in both Paris and Philadelphia has resulted in sewage being dumped in the cities鈥� rivers, according to the article, Dr. Traver says that 鈥測ou cannot put in a whole new sanitation system. It鈥檚 ridiculously expensive.鈥�
Instead, engineers in Paris have designed a rainwater storage tank to prevent runoff from overwhelming the city鈥檚 sanitation system during downpours.
The article notes that other cities and countries have made similar attempts to clean up their rivers and lakes, and many are keeping a close watch on Paris to see if its project is successful. 鈥淣othing in Paris鈥� plan is unique,鈥� Dr. Traver says. 鈥淏ut to聽do聽it is unique.鈥�