Application of Real-Time Control and Source Control Solutions to Reduce Combined Sewer Overflows: A Review of Approaches and Performances
Publication: Journal of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment
Volume 10, Issue 4
Abstract
Real-time control (RTC) and source control solutions (SCSs) can be cost-effective and reliable ways to improve the performance and mitigate the negative impacts of urban drainage systems. In this paper, we review and discuss different approaches to applying RTC and SCSs for combined sewer overflow management. Applications of RTC and SCSs have been classified into three main categories in previous studies: (1) RTC applied individually to a sewer system, (2) RTC applied to a sewer system in addition to passive SCSs, and (3) RTC applied directly to SCSs. In this paper, we compare the RTC techniques and strategies typically employed within each category. We highlight the benefits and point out major gaps and issues that have not been investigated previously with the aim of promoting the long-term implementation of RTC for urban drainage systems. The findings indicate that RTC of urban drainage systems has been widely applied in different contexts and with different control objectives, but few studies have implemented RTC and SCSs in combination. Significant improvements have been observed in terms of both water quality and quantity when RTC and SCSs are integrated; however, more studies are required in order to resolve some technical issues and to investigate the cost effectiveness of individual and combined solutions.
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Data Availability Statement
No data, models, or code were generated or used during the study.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the support provided by the National Research Council of Canada under the Climate Resilient Built Environment (CRBE) initiative, funded by Infrastructure Canada.
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Journal of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment
Volume 10 • Issue 4 • November 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Jun 25, 2024
Published in print: Nov 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Nov 25, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Combined sewers
- Computer models
- Control systems
- Drainage
- Drainage systems
- Engineering fundamentals
- Flow (fluid dynamics)
- Fluid dynamics
- Fluid mechanics
- Hydrologic engineering
- Infrastructure
- Irrigation engineering
- Lifeline systems
- Models (by type)
- Overflow
- Sewers
- Systems engineering
- Systems management
- Urban and regional development
- Urban areas
- Water and water resources
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