Abstract:Taking 12 typical wastewater treatment plants in Shanghai as the research object, this study systematically analyzes the spatiotemporal characteristics of high-concentration influent shock, pollutant indicator patterns, and their impact on effluent stability. The analysis is based on long-term influent and effluent water quality monitoring data from 2021 to 2025, using mathematical statistics and cumulative frequency analysis. The research indicates that influent shock has become a regular occurrence in some plants, primarily characterized by instantaneous ultra-high concentrations of COD, NH3![]()
-N, and TN. Among these, ammonia nitrogen shock poses the greatest threat to effluent compliance. The analysis reveals that the proportion of industrial wastewater discharged into the sewer system is not necessarily correlated with shock risk. This finding expands the scope of shock source investigation from "industrial sources" to the entire "collection system," including factors such as anaerobic release from sediment in sewer networks, stormwater and sewage cross-connections, groundwater infiltration, and unauthorized discharges from unregulated scattered pollution sources. Based on the findings, a comprehensive systematic coping strategy framework is constructed, covering "source warning–process regulation–endpoint emergency response–engineering safeguards." Targeted management recommendations are proposed to enhance the overall resilience and stable compliance assurance capability of megacity wastewater treatment systems.