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D4RUNOFF

Case Studies

Santander case study

The selected area for the case study in D4RunOff is called, “Las Llamas basin”, with an already hybrid system of 7.3 km2 that includes two NBS (a wetland and a permeable car park) and two conventional systems (a pumping station and a treatment plant). The main current challenges in the area is the potential collapse of treatment systems due to overflows (120 stormwater overflows event/year and a volume of 240 000 m3/year) and the gap in CEC´s knowledge.

D4runoff aims to contribute to this case by:

  1. studying different types of permeable surfaces (pavements, green roofs or gardens), and increasing the wetland’s surface to maximise its potential benefits.
  2. sampling water in the inlet and outlet of the wetland (to control water quality and ecosystem well-being) and at the car park (to identify the presence of CECs).
  3. studying the two traditional sites connected to the sewer system (pumping station and treatment plant).
  4. characterising the whole urban drainage system and modelling of positive consequences of the connection of new NBS.

 

How? Our solutions

  • High-resolution methods for suspect and NTS for CECs
  • Online sensors for water pollutants
  • MCDA applied to dynamic design of hybrid urban drainage solutions
  • DSS applied to hybrid urban drainage solutions, ABM and social network analysis

Odense case study

Due to a large transformation, local water bodies are struggling to assess the influence of urban pollution on water quality and how the city can invest in adequate infrastructures for urban development and climate adaptation.

D4runoff works closely with these authorities to:

  1. implement and assess of new NBS: raingardens with filter soil integrated in the roads for collecting, filtrating, infiltrating, and discharging storm water (existing: 20-30).
  2. carry out non-target analysis to determine the presence and number of specific contaminants and CECs and track their source and fate before stormwater outlet to the receiving water bodies.
  3. incorporate new sensors to enable data gathering.
  4. develop water sampling techniques in existing ponds and NBS to evaluate its effect on the CECs.

 

How? – Our solutions

  • Inlet water samples will be collected for different chosen locations within the case study area. Non-target screening and concentration of various metals will be analysed, as well as the presence of multi-resistant bacteria
  • High-resolution methods for suspect and NTS for CECs
  • Online sensors for water pollutants
  • MCDA applied to dynamic design of hybrid urban drainage solutions
  • DSS applied to hybrid urban drainage solutions
  • ABM and social network analysis
  • Testing & validating the project results in a relevant environment
  • Assess the replicability of the project results

Pontedera case study

The Pontedera case study is located in the city of Pontedera (Tuscany, Italy). The whole city is completely covered by sewers and the 95% of the city is served by 75 km of combined sewers that transport wastewater to the Pontedera WWTP, that have a capacity of 40,000 PE and a mean annual treated wastewater flow of about 2,5 Mm3. The remaining 5% of the city is served by a different WWTP not considered in the present case study.

The availability of the data concerning the area production, land use and the presence of a combined sewage system, and a mix of urban and industrial area, make the Pontedera district an interesting case study for the application of Nature-based solutions.

D4runoff contributes to the following actions:

  1. Collection of water samples for the characterisation of pollutant target list.
  2. Implementation and assessment of online sensors for the detection of pollutants.
  3. Realisation of Nature-based solution and CECs efficiency removal evaluation.
  4. Gathering information for contributing to develop the DSS.

 

How? Our solutions

  • Evaluation of qualitative aspects to determine Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) and other pollutants in urban areas
  • Evaluation of the impact of runoff on the closing section of the sewer
  • Identification of the most appropriate Nature-based Solution (NBS) and areas for its application according to the type of urban pollution detected
  • Assessment of the mitigation effect of the NBS realised on the CECs
  • DSS application in a combined sewer area

Factsheets

Pontedera
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Santander, Spain

Led by the University of Cantabria @ Aqualia

The selected area for the case study in Santander is called, “Las Llamas basin”. A hybrid system already exists of 7.3 km2 that includes two Nature-Based Solution: a wetland and a permeable car park. It is complemented by two conventional systems: a pumping station and a treatment plant.

The main challenge today in the area is the potential collapse of treatment systems due to overflows (120 stormwater overflows event/year and a volume of 240 000 m3/year) and the gap in knowledge concerning Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs).

Objectives

Study different types of permeable surfaces (pavements, green roofs or gardens), and increase the wetland’s surface to maximise its potential benefits.

Sample water in the inlet and outlet of the wetland to control water quality and ecosystem well-being and at the car park to identify the presence of CECs.

Study the two traditional sites connected to the sewer system: pumping station and treatment plant.

Characterise the entire urban drainage system and model positive consequences of the connection of new NBS.

Solutions implemented

High-resolution methods for suspect and NTS for CECs

Online sensors for water pollutants

MCDA applied to dynamic design of hybrid urban drainage solutions

DSS applied to hybrid urban drainage solutions, ABM and social network analysis