Optimization of storm water storage-release strategies

Storage‐release systems, in one form or another, are often used to improve the quality of urban storm water. Analytical methods to determine optimal storm water storage‐release strategies are difficult to apply because of difficulties in providing accurate functional representations of the problem components and in solving nonlinear programing problems with economies of scale. In order to circumvent these obstacles robust procedures for selecting an optimal storage‐release strategy are presented. One method takes a graphical approach, the other is based on an application of microcomputer‐based spreadsheet and spatial analysis software. Both methods are demonstrated with an example application.