Recent Papers on Urban Hydrology
Content Table
- Feasible adaptation strategies for increased risk of flooding in cities due to climate change
- Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) treatment train assessment tool
- Impact of input data uncertainties on urban stormwater model parameters
- Influence and modelling of urban runoff on the peak flows in rivers
- The HSG procedure for modelling integrated urban wastewater systems
- Are extreme rainfall intensities more frequent? Analysis of trends in rainfall patterns relevant to urban drainage systems
- Identifying weak points of urban drainage systems by means of VulNetUD
- Integrated assessment of urban drainage system under the framework of uncertainty analysis
- Application of the URBS-Monte Carlo Simulation Technique to Urban Catchments: A Case Study for the Coomera River Catchment in Gold Coast Australia
- An investigation of wash-off controlling parameters at urban and commercial monitoring sites
- An integrated modeling approach to predict flooding on urban basin
- Effect of urban drainage on bioavailability of heavy metals in recipient
- Scenarios for redesigning an urban drainage system to reduce runoff frequency and restore stream ecological condition
- Supporting the choice, siting and evaluation of sustainable drainage systems in new urban developments
Feasible adaptation strategies for increased risk of flooding in cities due to climate change
Water Science & Technology—WST Vol 60 No 2 pp 273–281 © IWA Publishing 2009 doi:10.2166/wst.2009.298
K. Arnbjerg-Nielsen and H. S. Fleischer
Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark E-mail: kan@env.dtu.dk
COWI A/S, Parallelvej 2, DK-2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark E-mail: hsf@cowi.dk
Abstract
Northern Europe is one of the regions where more frequent and more severe storms and storm surges are expected due to climatic changes. In order to maintain an acceptable risk of flooding suitable adaptation strategies must be defined and implemented. Optimum solutions demand collaboration of different professionals and thus simple graphical means must be employed to illustrate the economic impacts of the change in risk of flooding. A case study indicates that urban drainage infrastructure capacity should be upgraded while there is currently no economic incentive to improve protection against sea surges.
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) treatment train assessment tool
Water Science & Technology—WST Vol 60 No 5 pp 1233–1240 © IWA Publishing 2009 doi:10.2166/wst.2009.463
C. Jefferies, A. Duffy, N. Berwick, N. McLean and A. Hemingway
Urban Water Technology Centre, University of Abertay, Dundee DD1 1HG, UK E-mail: c.jefferies@abertay.ac.uk
Greenbelt Group, Abbotsford House, Abbotsford Place, Glasgow G5 9SS, UK
Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Erskine Court, Stirling FK9 4TR, UK
Abstract
This paper outlines a rationale and scoring system for the stormwater treatment train assessment tool (STTAT) which is a proposed regulatory tool for Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). STTAT provides guidance and regulatory consistency for developers about the requirements of planners and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). The tool balances the risks of pollution to the receiving water body with the treatment provided in a treatment train. It encourages developers to take SUDS into account early, avoiding any misunderstanding of SUDS requirements at the planning stage of a development. A pessimistic view on pollution risks has been adopted since there may be a change of land use on the development in the future. A realistic view has also been taken of maintenance issues and the ‘survivability’ of a SUDS component. The development of STTAT as a response to the requirements of the Water Framework Directive is explored, the individual scores being given in tabular format for receiving water and catchment risks. Treatment scores are proposed for single SUDS components as well as multiple components within treatment trains. STTAT has been tested on a range of sites, predominantly in Scotland where both development and receiving water information was known. The operational tool in use by SEPA is presented.
Impact of input data uncertainties on urban stormwater model parameters
Water Science & Technology—WST Vol 60 No 6 pp 1545–1554 © IWA Publishing 2009 doi:10.2166/wst.2009.493
M. Kleidorfer, A. Deletic, T. D. Fletcher and W. Rauch
Unit of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 13, A6020 Innsbruck, Austria E-mail: manfred.kleidorfer@uibk.ac.at; wolfgang.rauch@uibk.ac.at
Department of Civil Engineering, Institute for Sustainable Water Resources, Monash University, Melbourne VIC 3800, Australia E-mail: ana.deletic@eng.monash.edu.au; tim.fletcher@eng.monash.edu.au
Abstract
The use of urban drainage models requires careful calibration, where model parameters are selected in order to minimize the difference between measured and simulated results. It has been recognized that often more than one set of calibration parameters can achieve similar model accuracy. A probability distribution of model parameters should therefore be constructed to examine the model's sensitivity to its parameters. With increasing complexity of models, it also becomes important to analyze the model parameter sensitivity while taking into account uncertainties in input and calibration data. In this study a Bayesian approach was used to develop a framework for quantification of impacts of uncertainties in the model inputs on the parameters of a simple integrated stormwater model for calculating runoff, total suspended solids and total nitrogen loads. The framework was applied to two catchments in Australia. It was found that only systematic rainfall errors have a significant impact on flow model parameters. The most sensitive flow parameter was the effective impervious area, which can be calibrated to completely compensate for the input data uncertainties. The pollution model parameters were influenced by both systematic and random rainfall errors. Additionally an impact of circumstances (e.g. catchment type, data availability) has been recognized.
Influence and modelling of urban runoff on the peak flows in rivers
Water Science & Technology—WST Vol 60 No 7 pp 1919–1927 © IWA Publishing 2009 doi:10.2166/wst.2009.638
G. Vaes, T. Feyaerts and P. Swartenbroekx
HydroScan Ltd, Tiensevest 26/4, 3000 Leuven, Belgium E-mail: guido.vaes@hydroscan.be
Abstract
Surface waters and urban drainage systems are usually studied separately. However there are important interactions between both systems. Urban drainage systems can have an important impact on the surface waters, mainly at combined sewer overflows. On the other hand during periods of high water levels in a river, the runoff from the urban drainage system can be significantly influenced by backwater, which increases the probability of flooding in is not obvious, because the modelling tools for both systems are often hard to combine properly. To properly assess the probability of flooding for this kind of integrated water systems, different submodels are needed for both subsystems. In practice often one single model is used to describe the runoff to rivers despite the presence of urban catchments. The main objective of this study is to show the limits of this simplified approach. Furthermore, it is necessary to use continuous long term simulations, because of the differences in runoff behaviour. Detailed hydrodynamic models do not really fit for this purpose because of long simulation times and high demands in memory and disk space. Therefore simplified conceptual models are more useful.
The HSG procedure for modelling integrated urban wastewater systems
Water Science & Technology—WST Vol 60 No 8 pp 2065–2075 © IWA Publishing 2009 doi:10.2166/wst.2009.576
D. Muschalla, M. Schütze, K. Schroeder, M. Bach, F. Blumensaat, G. Gruber, K. Klepiszewski, M. Pabst, A. Pressl, N. Schindler, A.-M. Solvi and J. Wiese
ihwb, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Petersenstraße 13, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany E-mail: dirk.muschalla@gci.ulaval.ca
modelEAU, Université Laval, 1065 Avenue de la Médicine, Québec QC, Canada G1V 0A6,
ifak e. V. Magdeburg, Werner-Heisenberg-Straße 1, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany
Berlin Centre of Competence for Water, Cicerostraße 24, 10709, Berlin, Germany
Institute for Urban Water Management, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
Institute of Urban Water Management and Landscape Water Engineering, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 10/I, 8010, Graz, Austria
Resource Centre for Environmental Technologies, Public Research Centre Henri Tudor, 66, rue de Luxembourg, 4221, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
Institute of Sanitary Engineering and Waste Management, University of Hannover, Welfengarten 1, 30167, Hannover, Germany
Institute of Sanitary Engineering and Water Pollution Control, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna, Muthgasse 18, 1190, Vienna, Austria
GKU mbH, Heinrichstraße 17/19, 36037, Fulda, Germany
Abstract
Whilst the importance of integrated modelling of urban wastewater systems is ever increasing, there is still no concise procedure regarding how to carry out such modelling studies. After briefly discussing some earlier approaches, the guideline for integrated modelling developed by the Central European Simulation Research Group (HSG - Hochschulgruppe) is presented. This contribution suggests a six-step standardised procedure to integrated modelling. This commences with an analysis of the system and definition of objectives and criteria, covers selection of modelling approaches, analysis of data availability, calibration and validation and also includes the steps of scenario analysis and reporting. Recent research findings as well as experience gained from several application projects from Central Europe have been integrated in this guideline.
Are extreme rainfall intensities more frequent? Analysis of trends in rainfall patterns relevant to urban drainage systems
Water Science & Technology—WST Vol 59 No 9 pp 1769–1776 © IWA Publishing 2009 doi:10.2166/wst.2009.182
S. De Toffol, A. N. Laghari and W. Rauch
Unit of Environmental Engineering, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 13 Innsbruck A-6020, Austria E-mail: sara.de-toffol@uibk.ac.at
Abstract
The fact that climate change is affecting the intensity and frequency of rainfall is well accepted in the scientific community. This is backed by a multitude of reports on the basis of daily rainfall series analysis; however, little research is available for short duration intensities. Due to its significant influence on the behaviour of urban drainage, it is critical to investigate the changes in short duration rainfall intensities. In this study different intensities relevant for the urban drainage and the total rainfall per rain event are analysed. The trend is investigated using the Mann-Kendall test. The rainfall series analysed are from the alpine region Tyrol. The results present differences depending on the duration of the intensity and the series considered, however an increase in the number of extreme events is detectable for short durations for the most series.
Identifying weak points of urban drainage systems by means of VulNetUD
Water Science & Technology—WST Vol 60 No 10 pp 2507–2513 © IWA Publishing 2009 doi:10.2166/wst.2009.664
M. Möderl, M. Kleidorfer, R. Sitzenfrei and W. Rauch
Unit of Environmental Engineering, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 13, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria E-mail: Michael.Moederl@uibk.ac.at; Manfred.Kleidorferl@uibk.ac.at; Robert.Sitzenfrei@uibk.ac.at; Wolfgang.Rauch@uibk.ac.at
Abstract
This article presents the development and application of the software tool VulNetUD. VulNetUD is a tool for GIS-based identification of vulnerable sites of urban drainage systems (UDS) using hydrodynamic simulations undertaken using EPA SWMM. The benefit of the tool is the output of different vulnerability maps rating sewer surcharging, sewer flooding, combined sewer overflow (CSO) efficiency and CSO emissions. For this, seven predefined performance indicators are used to evaluate urban drainage systems under abnormal, critical and future conditions. The application on a case study highlights the capability of the tool to identify weak points of the urban drainage systems. Thereby it is possible to identify urban drainage system components which cause the highest performance decrease across the entire system. The application of the method on a real world case study shows for instance that a reduction of catchment areas which are located upstream of CSOs with relatively less capacity in the downstream sewers achieves the highest increases efficiency of the system. Finally, the application of VulNetUD is seen as a valuable tool for managers and operators of waste water utilities to improve the efficiency of their systems. Additionally vulnerability maps generated by VulNetUD support risk management e.g. decision making in urban development planning or the development of rehabilitation strategies.
Integrated assessment of urban drainage system under the framework of uncertainty analysis
Water Science & Technology—WST Vol 57 No 8 pp 1227–1234 © IWA Publishing 2008 doi:10.2166/wst.2008.265
X. Dong, J. Chen, S. Zeng and D. Zhao
Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China E-mail: dx00@mails.tsinghua.edu.cn; jchen1@tsinghua.edu.cn; szeng@tsinghua.edu.cn; zdq01@mails.tsinghua.edu.cn
Abstract
Due to a rapid urbanization as well as the presence of large number of aging urban infrastructures in China, the urban drainage system is facing a dual pressure of construction and renovation nationwide. This leads to the need for an integrated assessment when an urban drainage system is under planning or re-design. In this paper, an integrated assessment methodology is proposed based upon the approaches of analytic hierarchy process (AHP), uncertainty analysis, mathematical simulation of urban drainage system and fuzzy assessment. To illustrate this methodology, a case study in Shenzhen City of south China has been implemented to evaluate and compare two different urban drainage system renovation plans, i.e., the distributed plan and the centralized plan. By comparing their water quality impacts, ecological impacts, technological feasibility and economic costs, the integrated performance of the distributed plan is found to be both better and robust. The proposed methodology is also found to be both effective and practical.
Application of the URBS-Monte Carlo Simulation Technique to Urban Catchments: A Case Study for the Coomera River Catchment in Gold Coast Australia
Water Practice & Technology © IWA Publishing 2007 | doi10.2166/wpt.2007.039
Ataur Rahman1, Don Carroll2, Parvez Mahbub1, Sayed Khan3, Khondker Rahman3
1School of Engineering, University of Western Sydney, Australia
2City Design, Brisbane City Council, Australia
3Gold Coast City Council, Australia
Abstract
In recent years in Australia, there has been significant research and interest in the development and application of a more holistic approach of design flood estimation such as the Monte Carlo Simulation Technique. The advantage of the Monte Carlo Simulation Technique is that this considers the probabilistic nature of the model input variables in explicit manner as opposed to the Design Event Approach. This paper presents the application of the Monte Carlo Simulation Technique to the Coomera River Catchment in the Gold Coast region Australia. This identifies the probability distributions of rainfall duration, rainfall intensity, rainfall temporal pattern and initial loss from the observed pluviograph and streamflow data in the catchment and applies URBS model to simulate ten thousand streamflow hydrographs to determine derived flood frequency curve for the catchment. It has been found that the URBS-Monte Carlo Simulation Technique (UMCST) provides a robust means for providing a range of inflows to hydraulic/floodplain models to assess the impact of ‘100 year’ storms on the floodplain. Further it is noted that the UMCST technique provides design peak flow rates similar to the Design Event Approach using the temporal patterns derived from the local pluviograph stations.
An investigation of wash-off controlling parameters at urban and commercial monitoring sites
Water Science & Technology Vol 56 No 12 pp 77–84 © IWA Publishing 2007 doi:10.2166/wst.2007.756
C. Berretta, I. Gnecco, L.G. Lanza and P. La Barbera
Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Genoa, Via Montallegro 1, 16145 Genova, Italy (E-mail: berretta@dicat.unige.it; ignecco@dicat.unige.it; luca.lanza@unige.it; paolo.labarbera@unige.it)
Abstract
The relationship between the parameters of the wash-off function and the controlling hydrologic variables are investigated in this paper, assuming that the pollutant generation process basically depends on the watershed rainfall-runoff response characteristics. Data collected during an intense monitoring program carried out by the Department of Environmental Engineering of the University of Genova (Italy) within a residential area, an auto dismantler facility, a tourism terminal and a urban waste truck depot are used to this aim. The observed runoff events are classified into different TSS mass delivery processes and the occurrence of the first flush phenomenon is also investigated. The correlation between the mathematical parameters describing the exponential process and the hydrological parameters of the corresponding rainfall-runoff event is analysed: runoff parameters and in particular the maximum flow discharge over the time of concentration of the drainage network are proposed as the controlling factor for the total mass of pollutant that is made available for wash-off during each runoff event
An integrated modeling approach to predict flooding on urban basin
Water Science & Technology Vol 55 No 4 pp 19–29 © IWA Publishing 2007 doi:10.2166/wst.2007.091
Ashis Kumar Dey* and Seiji Kamioka**
*XP Software Inc., 8-10 Purdue Street, Belconnen, ACT 2617, Australia (E-mail: ashis@xpsoftware.com)
**Pacific Consultants Inc., 2-7-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Tokyo, 163-0730, Japan
Abstract
Correct prediction of flood extents in urban catchments has become a challenging issue. The traditional urban drainage models that consider only the sewerage-network are able to simulate the drainage system correctly until there is no overflow from the network inlet or manhole. When such overflows exist due to insufficient drainage capacity of downstream pipes or channels, it becomes difficult to reproduce the actual flood extents using these traditional one-phase simulation techniques. On the other hand, the traditional 2D models that simulate the surface flooding resulting from rainfall and/or levee break do not consider the sewerage network. As a result, the correct flooding situation is rarely addressed from those available traditional 1D and 2D models. This paper presents an integrated model that simultaneously simulates the sewerage network, river network and 2D mesh network to get correct flood extents. The model has been successfully applied into the Tenpaku basin (Nagoya, Japan), which experienced severe flooding with a maximum flood depth more than 1.5 m on September 11, 2000 when heavy rainfall, 580 mm in 28 hrs (return period >100 yr), occurred over the catchments. Close agreements between the simulated flood depths and observed data ensure that the present integrated modeling approach is able to reproduce the urban flooding situation accurately, which rarely can be obtained through the traditional 1D and 2D modeling approaches.
Effect of urban drainage on bioavailability of heavy metals in recipient
Water Science & Technology Vol 56 No 9 pp 43–50 © IWA Publishing 2007 doi:10.2166/wst.2007.736
D. Kominkova and J. Nabelkova
Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Sanitary and Ecological Engineering, Thákurova 7, Prague, 6, 166 29, Czech Republic (E-mail: Kominkova@lermo.cz; nabelkova@lermo.cz)
Abstract
Heavy metals comprise one of the most hazardous groups of pollutants entering the aquatic environment. Their behaviour and ecotoxicological effects are not well understood especially if they are occur as a mix of metals. Drawing on data from three Prague creeks, the paper illustrates changes in heavy metals bioavailability resulting from different environmental conditions and related differences in urban drainage types. Heavy metals in sediment from creeks impacted by stormwater drain discharges are more bioavailable and accumulate in organisms to higher concentrations than in organisms from creeks affected by combined sewer overflows. The results also show that bioassay levels of lead in fish from the creeks exceed acceptable concentrations for human consumption (EC 466/2001) and therefore represent a potential health risk for humans. The results demonstrate the importance of providing improved interception efficiency in the drainage system structures. In particular, a higher level of interception of fine particles is critical, because of their higher metal adsorption capacity than for coarser particles.
Scenarios for redesigning an urban drainage system to reduce runoff frequency and restore stream ecological condition
Water Practice & Technology © IWA Publishing 2007 | doi10.2166/wpt.2007.053
A. R. Ladson1, S. Lloyd2, C. J. Walsh2, T. D. Fletcher1, P. Horton1
1Institute for Sustainable Water Resources, Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Vic 3800, Australia
2Water Studies Centre, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, 3800, Australia
Abstract
Monitoring the hydrochemical efficiency of urban stormwater treatment devices is not straightforward as the traditional, automated, In urban areas, efficient drainage of impervious surfaces means that polluted stormwater is frequently delivered to streams. Commonly, catchment urbanization can increase runoff frequency by a factor of 10 or more, as the effective imperviousness - the proportion of the catchment that consists of impervious surfaces drained to streams - is increased. This causes a decline in stream health.
To decrease runoff frequency, effective imperviousness must be reduced. This requires urban drainage systems to be redesigned, using techniques such as infiltration and rainwater harvesting, so that stormwater from small rain events is not piped directly to streams but instead is infiltrated, reused or retained. We have developed scenarios that explore alternative urban drainage systems appropriate for a small partly urbanised catchment in Melbourne’s east. These scenarios incorporate, biofiltration basins, swales and dual purpose rainwater tanks that supply water for householders. Our results suggested that sufficient reductions in effective imperviousness and runoff frequency are possible to achieve improvements in stream health.
Supporting the choice, siting and evaluation of sustainable drainage systems in new urban developments
Water Practice & Technology © IWA Publishing 2007 | doi10.2166/wpt.2007.044
C. Makropoulos1, S. Liu1, K. Natsis1, D. Butler1, F. A. Memon1
1Centre for Water Systems, School of Engineering, Computer Science & Mathematics, University of Exeter, UK
Abstract
The work presented here forms part of the ongoing WaND research initiative in the UK aiming towards the implementation of sustainability principles in the planning of new urban developments. The paper describes the development of a decision support toolbox based on soft computing that assists the selection of promising sustainable drainage systems (SUDS), and their optimal siting within the context of new urban developments, through the creation of spatially variable suitability maps. It is suggested that the decision support toolbox, which includes the tools presented here as well as other tools developed within WaND can assist engineers and developers to take into account engineering, environmental and socio-economic characteristics and constraints in the design of more sustainable "SUDS" schemes.
