Stormwater detention and infiltration devices treating road runoff

• Main Author: Yazdi, Sara Kazemi
• Published: University of Edinburgh 2009
• Subjects: 624
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.653235

This thesis compares four individual projects involving innovative approaches to the problems facing stormwater management in urban areas. The first study ‘The Glasgow Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) Management Project’ satisfies the first phase of the Glasgow Surface Water Management Project. The project showed also how SUDS can contribute to the overall catchment dynamics of cities. Detailed design and management guidelines were then drafted for selected representative demonstration areas. A combination of infiltration trenches or swales with ponds or underground storage were the most likely SUDS options for the majority of the demonstration areas. Soil contamination issues were considered when selecting SUDS because heavy metals such as lead and zinc can cause environmental health problems. During the second study, 103 sites within Edinburgh were identified to assess the applicability of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) being integrated into future development, regeneration and retrofitting plans. A practical SUDS Decision Support Model based on a matrix and weighting system, incorporating the Prevalence Rating Approach for SUDS Techniques (PRABT) has been developed. The aim of the third study was to assess constraints associated with the planning, design and operation of stormwater infiltration systems, the influence of aquatic plants on water quality and the overall water treatment potential. Runoff from a lightly trafficked road within The King’s Buildings campus, mixed with dog faeces was used to simulate the real life conditions. The experimental site comprising a silt trap, a below-ground detection tank and two infiltration ponds (one planted and one unplanted) was fed by road runoff. The last study examined whether multiple regression analysis and neural network models could be applied successfully for the indirect prediction of the runoff treatment performance with water quality indicator variables in an experimental storm water detention system rig. Five mature experimental storm water detention systems with different designs treating concentrated gully pot liquor were assessed in this study.