The Role of Computer Modeling in Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement Planning

Increased concern regarding water quality impacts from combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in the U.S. and elsewhere has emphasized the role of computermodeling in analyzing CSO impacts and in planning abatement measures. These measures often involve the construction of very large and costly facilities, and computer simulation during plan development is essential to cost-effective facility sizing. An effective approach to CSO system modeling focuses on detailed hydraulic simulation of the interceptor sewers in conjunction with continuous simulation of the combined sewer system to characterize CSOs and explore storage-treatment tradeoffs in planning abatement facilities. Recent advances in microcomputer hardware and software have made possible a number of new techniques which facilitate the use of computer models in CSO abatement planning.