Model-based comparison of strategies for reduction of stormwater micropollutant emissions

Strategies for reduction of micropollutant (MP) emissions from stormwater systems require the comparison of different scenarios including source control, end-of-pipe treatment, or their combination. Dynamic integrated models can be important tools for this comparison, as they can integrate the limited data provided by monitoring campaigns and evaluate the performance of different strategies based on model simulation results.

This study presents an example where an integrated dynamic model, in combination with stormwater quality measurements, was used to evaluate 6 different strategies to improve the recipient quality by reducing the fluxes of heavy metals (copper, zinc) and organic compounds (fluoranthene) to natural waters.

MP sources were identified by using GIS land usage data. When comparing the different control strategies, the integrated model showed the greater benefits of the source-control strategy in terms of MP loads discharged in the environment and sediment accumulated in the pond. None of the simulated pollution control strategies managed to fulfil water quality criteria based on Emission Limit Values.

This study highlights the great contribution that integrated models can provide to the management of stormwater pollution.