Accumulated sediments in a detention basin: chemical and microbial hazard assessment linked to hydrological processes.

Accumulated sediments in a 32,000-m(3) detention basin linked to a separate stormwater system were characterized in order to infer their health hazards. A sampling scheme of 15 points was defined according to the hydrological behaviour of the basin. Physical parameters (particle size and volatile organic matter content) were in the range of those previously reported for stormwater sediments. Chemical analyses on hydrocarbons, PAHs, PCBs and heavy metals showed high pollutant concentrations. Microbiological analyses of these points highlighted the presence of faecal indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci) and actinomycetes of the genus Nocardia. These are indicative of the presence of human pathogens. E. coli and enterococcal numbers in the sediments were higher at the proximity of the low-flow gutter receiving waters from the catchment. These bacteria appeared to persist over time among urban sediments. Samples highly contaminated by hydrocarbons were also shown to be heavily contaminated by these bacteria. These results demonstrated for the first time the presence of Nocardial actinomycetes in such an urban context with concentrations as high as 11,400 cfu g(-1).

The use of CFD modelling to optimise measurement of overflow rates in a downstream-controlled dual-overflow structure.

The measurement of the flow through complex combined sewer overflow structures in the frame of automated monitoring remains difficult. In this paper, a methodology based on the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling in order to improve the instrumentation of a downstream-controlled dual-overflow structure is presented. The dual-overflow structure is composed of two combined sewer overflows (CSOs) connected by a rectangular channel and controlled by a downstream gate located at the entry of the Meyzieu waste water treatment plant (close to Lyon, France). The analysis of the CFD results provides: (i) a better understanding of the interaction between the two CSOs--that means the hydraulic operation, the hydrodynamic behaviour, the backflow effect--and (ii) an ability to optimise the location of the water depth sensor. The measured water depth is used to assess the overflow rate by means of a numerical relationship. Uncertainties are also assessed.

One-dimensional modelling of the interactions between heavy rainfall-runoff in an urban area and flooding flows from sewer networks and rivers.

Many investigations have been carried out in order to develop models which allow the linking of complex physical processes involved in urban flooding. The modelling of the interactions between overland flows on streets and flooding flows from rivers and sewer networks is one of the main objectives of recent and current research programs in hydraulics and urban hydrology. This paper outlines the original one-dimensional linking of heavy rainfall-runoff in urban areas and flooding flows from rivers and sewer networks under the RIVES project framework (Estimation of Scenario and Risks of Urban Floods). The first part of the paper highlights the capacity of Canoe software to simulate the street flows. In the second part, we show the original method of connection which enables the modelling of interactions between processes in urban flooding. Comparisons between simulated results and the results of Despotovic et al. or Gomez & Mur show a good agreement for the calibrated one-dimensional connection model. The connection operates likes a manhole with the orifice/weir coefficients used as calibration parameters. The influence of flooding flows from river was taken into account as a variable water depth boundary condition.

CSOs: tools for assessing their operation in our systems.

In recent years, regulations have been introduced under European legislation to govern wastewater discharge into natural environments, with particular provisions for combined sewer overflows. It has therefore become indispensable to control the hydraulic behaviour of these constructions. This article addresses the issue of 1D and 3D hydraulic modelling of CSOs. In the case of 1D modelling, a computational tool that is adapted to the hydraulic complexity of side weirs has been designed. For 3D modelling, the Fluent calculation code has been tested. The two modelling approaches have been validated by the data collected from the small-scale model in Obernai (French).

Use of 3D modelling and several ultrasound sensors to assess overflow rate.

A new instrumentation mode has been put in place in order to determine the overflow rate of five complex CSOs of the system in Sélestat (French), which are subject to self monitoring. 3D and 1D models have made it possible to predict the shapes of the water lines and suggest a location for the ultrasound sensors. In order to validate the instrumentation principle, three overhead sensors were placed on a weir. The overflow laws suggested are of the type Q(overflow) = a1h1b1 + a2h2b2 + a3h3b3. Early results of the overflow rate that have been obtained by applying the law are close to 10 % of the flow measured in the physical test bench. On the actual site, the ultrasound sensors were assembled on a rail covering the entire weir in order to be able to change their position in future after models calibration.