Wayne C. Huber

Deterministic Modeling of Urban Runoff Quality

Urban runoff quantity and quality problems are both historic and current. Cities haved long assumed the responsibility of control of stormwater flooding and treatment of point sources of wastewater (e.g., municipal sewage). But within the past two decades new responsibilities have arisen with the recognition of the severe pollution potential of urban nonpoint runoff, especially from combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and to a lesser degree, from stormwater runoff (51,53). With recognition of the quality problems has come the need for adequate analytical tools for their analysis. This need coupled with the advent of modern computer technology has led to many complex techniques for analysis of urban runoff quality.

Rainfall-runoff processes and modelling

Hydrological studies of rainfall-runoff processes provide the basis for estimating design flows for urban stormwater drainage systems which control floods and the transport of sediments and polluta...

Use of EPA SWMM5 for Generation of BMP Effluent EMC Distribution

Simulation of best management practice (BMP) and low-impact development (LID) effects on stormwater quality is discussed with reference to the EPA Storm Water Management Model (SWMM), version 5. Many such treatment facilities demonstrate a lognormal distribution of effluent event mean concentrations (EMCs). Methods for use of SWMM5 to produce simulated EMCs with similar frequency characteristics are discussed in this paper. Model output was not available at the time of preparation of this paper and will be shown when the paper is presented.

Application of SWMM5 for BMP/LID Quality Evaluation

The new (fall 2004) USEPA SWMM5 model has been used on projects related to management of stormwater in the general urban and specific highway environments for evaluation of hydrologic and water quality impacts of wet-weather controls (WWCs) commonly known in the United States as so-called best management practices (BMPs) and low impact development (LID). The functionality of SWMM5 for simulation of water quality impacts of WWCs is compared both to the predecessor SWMM4 versions and to the needs of practitioners and researchers. This paper shows the results possible for common WWCs, such as storage devices, infiltration systems, and any device for which a removal function and/or minimum effluent concentration may be formulated.

The Integrated Unit Process Design Approach for Urban Water Quality Design

Research being conducted by the authors under the National Cooperative Highway Research Program project “Evaluation of Best Management Practices for Highway Runoff Control” and the Water Environment Research Foundation project “Critical Assessment of Stormwater Treatment and Control Selection Issues“ seeks to advance the state-of-the-practice of stormwater design through the application of basic scientifically and technically sound engineering principals using a fundamental unit process design methodology. The research findings are being incorporated into guidance manuals aimed at both the design of highway runoff controls (including low impact designs) and, in the case of the WERF guidance documents, stormwater treatment approaches. The intent of these manuals is to provide a means for better applying research on the relationship between design and performance specifically emphasizing the importance of matching water quality goals to fundamental unit processes that address those goals. To that end, the research discussed in this paper has integrated findings from a number of sources including work by the authors conducted as part of the International Stormwater Best Management Practices Database project as well as the above referenced projects. Significant effort has been made in the research to provide a framework where various sources of theoretical unit process performance information, laboratory and controlled studies, pilot studies, and full scale field monitoring efforts can be effectively used together in the design process. The paper pays particular attention to discussing the current state of the practice of these different sources of performance information and identifies research gaps. This paper introduces the overall philosophy of the integrated unit process design approach and challenges readers to fundamentally change the way they approach the design of urban stormwater control systems.

Wet-Weather Treatment Process Simulation Using SWMM

Wet-weather Treatment Process Simulation Using SWMM Wayne C. Huber 1, M. ASCE The paper summarizes the ability of SWMM to simulate control options and wet-weather controls (WWCs) that are favored in current practice, including those related to low impact development (LID). The model is able to simulate some practices well, such as storage, and other options not as well, such as wetlands and filtration.

Urban Stormwater Modeling: Status in 2008

Stormwater modeling in urban areas has risen to a high level of accomplishment, yet many improvements and research needs remain. This paper summarizes a foundationtype conference on the state-of-the-art of urban stormwater modeling, held in July 2007. Conference highlights and research needs are provided.

Analysis of BMP Quality Data: Inferences from Statistical Tests

Statistical analysis of effluent event mean concentration (EMC) data is routinely performed to characterize the water quality performance of best management practice (BMP) and low impact development (LID) facilities for stormwater control. While the statistical procedures themselves are well documented, the relative usefulness of the various procedures is less obvious. This paper demonstrates some common graphical techniques applied to influent and effluent EMC data for a highway filter strip, with the intent to clarify their efficacy through their application to real data.

Decentralized and Low Impact Development (LID) Controls for Combined Sewer Overflow Management

This paper presents the findings of several critical studies that the project team is conducting to evaluate the feasibility and long-term viability of using decentralized controls for CSO management. The project team has developed a substantial set of analysis tools for use in the development of modeling and monitoring programs, including proposed classification schemes for decentralized controls and descriptions of unit processes. The study also provides guidance on determining the feasibility and effectiveness of controls, including an analysis of optimization, cost, and techniques to manage runoff volume, peak discharge rate, and water quality. Regional case studies on strategies, costs, and maintenance practices are presented.