Author(s)

E. Crobeddu, S. Allali & S. Bennis

Abstract

Urban runoff pollution due to suspended particles is of great concern for sewer system managers. This paper presents a new conceptual model called RQSM (Runoff Quality System Model) used to simulate the washoff (erosion and transport of particle) of total suspended particles (TSS) at the outlet of urban catchments. The RQSM model was validated with the help of 285 TSS data points monitored during 22 rainfall events. Four rainfall events were monitored in the subcatchment (1) of Verdun borough in Canada and 18 rainfall events were monitored on three subcatchments in Champaign city (USA). The simulated loads of the RQSM model were compared to the simulated loads obtained with the \“rating curve” model and with the SWMM exponential washoff model. The performance criteria showed that the results given by the RQSM model are equivalent to the results given by the rating curve model and the SWMM exponential washoff model. A sensitivity analysis that was conducted on the RQSM model places of interest the influence of every parameter on the simulated loads. Keywords: urban catchment, total suspended particles, build-up, washoff, comparative study. 1 Introduction One of the municipality’s interests is minimising the impact due to the pollution of stormwater in the natural environment. For real-time management of sewers network, the knowledge of the pollutograph associated to a rainfall event appears necessary to maximize the interception of pollutants. The estimation of the quantities of washoff suspended solids in the outlet of catchment allows

Keywords

urban catchment, total suspended particles, build-up, washoff, comparative study.