Assessing the effectiveness of site real-time adaptive control for stormwater quality control

Abstract

Urban sprawl, excessive rainfall, and resource limitations have challenged the performance of conventional water-sensitive urban designs (WSUD). To address these issues, there is a growing interest in adopting site real-time adaptive control (SRAC) for integrated and real-time water management. This research evaluates the effectiveness of SRAC technology in reducing stormwater pollutants in a highly developed urban area, comparing it with conventional WSUD methods. The study focuses on examining the impact of the SRAC-WSUD method on stormwater quality. Findings indicate that the SRAC-WSUD method reliably reduces stormwater pollutants under varying rainfall conditions. Moreover, it enhances the resilience and performance of existing stormwater systems without the need for additional infrastructure upgrades. For the whole year scenario, the SRAC-WSUD method resulted in reductions in total pollutant loads. Notably, there was a 196.72 kg/year decrease in total suspended solids (TSS), a 0.07 kg/year decrease in total phosphorus (TP), and a 0.78 kg/year decrease in total nitrogen (TN). These findings highlight the potential of SRAC-WSUD in improving stormwater quality and its implications for sustainable urban water management. Overall, this research contributes to advancing the understanding and practical implementation of SRAC technology in stormwater management, offering valuable insights for urban planning and water resource preservation.