Application of the SUSTAIN Model to a Watershed-Scale Case for Water Quality Management

Chi-Feng Chen,Chia-Ling Chang,Jen-Yang Lin,Ming-Yang Sheng,Shyh-Fang Kang

doi:10.3390/w6123575

Abstract

Low impact development (LID) is a relatively new concept in land use management that aims to maintain hydrological conditions at a predevelopment level without deteriorating water quality during land development. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) developed the System for Urban Stormwater Treatment and Analysis Integration model (SUSTAIN) to evaluate the performance of LID practices at different spatial scales; however, the application of this model has been limited relative to LID modeling. In this study, the SUSTAIN model was applied to a Taiwanese watershed. Model calibration and verification were performed, and different types of LID facilities were evaluated. The model simulation process and the verified model parameters could be used in other cases. Four LID scenarios combining bioretention ponds, grass swales, and pervious pavements were designed based on the land characteristics. For the SUSTAIN model simulation, the results showed that pollution reduction was mainly due to water quantity reduction, infiltration was the dominant mechanism and plant interception had a minor effect on the treatment. The simulation results were used to rank the primary areas for nonpoint source pollution and identify effective LID practices. In addition to the case study, a sensitivity analysis of the model parameters was performed, showing that the soil infiltration rate was the most sensitive parameter affecting the LID performance. The objectives of the study are to confirm the applicability of the SUSTAIN model and to assess the effectiveness of LID practices in the studied watershed.

Highlights

Water quality is degraded by direct wastewater pollution but is threatened by runoff from urbanization and land use change
The SUSTAIN model was applied to a Taiwanese watershed to test the applicability of the model to cases outside the United States
Simulation models include many calculation parameters which are not applied with directly observed data and need to be confirmed indirectly through a calibration and verification process

Summary

Introduction

Water quality is degraded by direct wastewater pollution but is threatened by runoff from urbanization and land use change. Many integrated water and land management policies have been proposed to address both water quality and water quantity problems in their early stages, for example, low impact development (LID) in the U.S [1,2], sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) in the UK [3,4], water sensitive urban design (WSUD) in Australia, low impact urban design and development (LIUDD) in New Zealand, and comprehensive urban river basin management in Japan [5]. The objective of these integrated water and land management policies is to apply water management practices to land planning and reduce water impact while pursuing social and economic development

Objectives

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Results

Conclusion