PostHole
Compose
Login
Sewage systems secretly waft pollution into the air
- RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT
- 24 February 2026
Sewage systems secretly waft pollution into the air
Wastewater treatment tanks and other infrastructure emit larger amounts of greenhouse gases than reported.
[An aerial view of circular pools of water at the East Bay Municipal Utility District Wastewater Treatment Plant]
Wastewater treatment plants, such as this one, emit nitrous oxides and methane, both potent greenhouse gases. Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty
Access through your institution
Buy or subscribe
Wastewater systems are emitting more greenhouse gases than nations are reporting. As much as 150 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent could be sneaking into the atmosphere from these sources per year1.
Access options
Access through your institution
Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals
Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription
27,99 € / 30 days
cancel any time
Receive 51 print issues and online access
199,00 € per year
only 3,90 € per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-00514-y
References
Song, C., Ponder, D., Peng, W. & Ren, Z. J. Nature Clim. Change https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-025-02540-6 (2026).
Subjects
Climate change
Latest on:
Climate change
[We need a global assessment of avoidable climate-change risks
Comment 25 FEB 26](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00544-6)
[EU leaders should not rush to revamp green-hydrogen rules
Editorial 25 FEB 26](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00560-6)
[Defunding Chile’s climate research will undermine science and the region
Correspondence 24 FEB 26](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00592-y)
###
####
Jobs
Faculty Positions at Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake University
Seeking scientists in pathobiology, immunology, vaccinology, epidemiology, drug discovery, focusing on microbial infections and inflammations.
Hangzhou, Zhejiang (CN)
Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake University
Faculty Positions at Institute of Physics (IOP), Chinese Academy of Sciences
IOP is China's premier research institution in condensed matter physics and related fields.
Beijing (CN)
Institute of Physics (IOP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
Associate or Senior Editor, Nature Communications (Catalysis)
Title: Associate or Senior Editor, Nature Communications (Catalysis) Location: Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing, Pune or Delhi Application Deadline: Marc...
Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing, Pune or Delhi
Springer Nature Ltd
Associate or Senior Editor, Nature Computational Science
Title: Associate or Senior Editor, Nature Computational Science Organization: Nature Portfolio Location: Shanghai, Beijing, Berlin or Pune - Hybr...
Shanghai, Beijing, Berlin or Pune - Hybrid Working Model
Springer Nature Ltd
2026 Overseas Outstanding Young Scholars: NKU Invites Talents From Around the World
Nankai University sincerely invite outstanding talents at home and abroad to apply for the 2026 Overseas Outstanding Young Scholars Fund.
Tianjin, CN
Nankai University