Cost-Effective Water Quality Planning for Urban Areas

A two-phase water quality planning approach is presented that determines the most cost-effective mix of pollution control alternatives required to achieve a given water quality goal. Phase I involves the use of a simple, continuous hydrologic/water quality computer simulation model, which incorporates all of the pertinent features of an urban area and its receiving water. The final product of the Phase I analysis is a clear understanding of the relationships between total pollution abatement cost, optimum control technologies, and receiving water quality improvement. These relationships provide a feedback system whereby water quality goals and criteria can be reevaluated relative to actual cost. If necessary, receiving water goals are adjusted and a final cost-effective pollution abatement project is defined. The product of the Phase II analysis is a description of the optimal mix of control alternatives, including preliminary designs, total costs, and receiving water quality response due to the plan.