Webbey De Keyser

Modelling Real-Time Control Options on Virtual Sewer Systems

The study presents a benchmarking methodology to assess the performance of sewer systems and to evaluate the performance of real-time control (RTC) strategies by model simulation. The methodology i...

Evaluating the usefulness of dynamic pollutant fate models for implementing the EU Water Framework Directive

The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) aims at achieving a good ecological and chemical status of surface waters in river basins by 2015. The chemical status is considered good if the Environmental Quality Standards (EQSs) are met for all substances listed on the priority list and eight additional specific emerging substances. To check compliance with these standards, the WFD requires the establishment of monitoring programmes. The minimum measuring frequency for priority substances is currently set at once per month. This can result in non-representative sampling and increased probability of misinterpretation of the surface water quality status. To assist in the classification of the water body, the combined use of monitoring data and pollutant fate models is recommended. More specifically, dynamic models are suggested, as possible exceedance of the quality standards can be predicted by such models. In the presented work, four realistic scenarios are designed and discussed to illustrate the usefulness of dynamic pollutant fate models for implementing the WFD. They comprise a combination of two priority substances and two rivers, representative for Western Europe.

A model library for dynamic transport and fate of micropollutants in integrated urban wastewater and stormwater systems

The increasing efforts in reducing the emission of micropollutants (MP) into the natural aquatic environment require the development of modelling tools to support the decision making process. This article presents a library of dynamic modelling tools for estimating MP fluxes within Integrated Urban Wastewater and Stormwater system (IUWS - including drainage network, stormwater treatment units, wastewater treatment plants, sludge treatment, and the receiving water body). The models are developed by considering the high temporal variability of the processes taking place in the IUWS, providing a basis for the elaboration of pollution control strategies (including both source control and treatment options) at the small spatial scale of urban areas. Existing and well-established water quality models for the different parts of the IUWS (e.g. ASM models) are extended by adding MP fate processes. These are modelled by using substance inherent properties, following an approach commonly used in large-scale MP multimedia fate and transport models. The chosen level of complexity ensures a low data requirement and minimizes the need for field measurements. Next to a synthesis of model applications, a didactic example is presented to illustrate the potential of the use of the developed model library for developing, evaluating and comparing strategies for reduction of MP emissions from urban areas. Display Omitted We created a model library for dynamic modelling of micropollutant fluxes in cities.The IUWS_MP model library includes sewer, treatment options and receiving waters.IUWS_MP combines existing models for evaluating pollution control strategies.Dynamic modelling allows estimation of both MP fluxes and concentrations.A didactic example showing the potential of the developed tool is presented.