Integrated modelling for analysis and optimisation of wastewater systems – the Odenthal case

There is an increased attention on integrated analysis of sewer network, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and receiving waters. Its objective is to derive new strategies for an ecologically and economically optimised protection of receiving waters. Simultaneous numerical simulation of discharges from the sewer network and the WWTP is necessary if interactions between the subsystems are important and/or if integrated control is to be investigated. This paper presents an application of numerical models running under MATLAB™/SIMULINK™ for an integrated analysis of sewer network and WWTP in Odenthal, Germany. The simulation tool is a combination of the modules PLASKI for wastewater production, SIMBA® sewer for transport processes in the sewer system and SIMBA® for biological wastewater treatment. Results of the study show that the application of this tool is suitable for testing control strategies in real urban wastewater systems. The application of control strategies offers ways to reduce the pollutant load to receiving waters especially by eliminating small discharge events and giving priority to most polluted water for treatment and storage.