Restoring contaminated urban rivers using an intergovernmental, public‐private approach

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a new approach to restoring rivers in the USA that have been contaminated with hazardous substances.

Design/methodology/approach

Both primary and secondary data and information were used. Primary data and information were gathered through interview processes with subject‐matter experts involved in restoration of contaminated rivers in the USA.

Findings

Many urban rivers around the world contain severely contaminated sediments that adversely affect aquatic life and limit recreational and economic uses. It has been estimated, for example, that as many as 100 million tons of contaminated sediments are deposited annually in the waterways of Europe.

Originality/value

The recently developed approach to restoring urban rivers in the USA might be usefully adopted for use in other industrialized nations around the world.

Citation

Deason, J.P. (2009), "Restoring contaminated urban rivers using an intergovernmental, public‐private approach", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 20 No. 6, pp. 649-657. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777830910990762