Accurate Wet-Weather Flow Characterization and Dynamic Modeling Help Optimize Treatment Designs and Operations

摘要

Dynamic models are increasingly being used to optimize the design and operation of municipalrnwastewater treatment plants. Like most design tools, a dynamic model is only as accurate as itsrninput data. Sufficient dynamic influent water quality data is often not available from wet-weatherrnevents to confirm a model’s accuracy. In many cases, designers and modelers have little choicernbut to make conservative assumptions and move forward with their evaluations. Unfortunately,rnoverly conservative assumptions may lead to overly conservative designs, potentially skewingrnthe results of alternatives evaluations. This can be particularly costly if the wet-weather treatmentrninvolves auxiliary facilities that don’t serve a dry-weather function. This paper helps demonstraternhow accurate influent hydrographs and pollutographs along with dynamic modeling can helprnutilities and agencies make well-informed, risk-based, and cost-effective decisions with regard tornwet-weather treatment alternatives.