Performance and uncertainties of TSS stormwater sampling strategies from online time series.

The event mean concentrations (EMCs) that would have been obtained by four different stormwater sampling strategies are simulated by using total suspended solids (TSS) and flowrate time series (about one minute time-step and one year of data). These EMCs are compared to the reference EMCs calculated by considering the complete time series. The sampling strategies are assessed with datasets from four catchments: (i) Berlin, Germany, combined sewer overflow (CSO); (ii) Graz, Austria, CSO; (iii) Chassieu, France, separate sewer system; and (iv) Ecully, France, CSO.

On the implementation of reliable early warning systems at European bathing waters using multivariate Bayesian regression modelling.

For ensuring microbial safety, the current European bathing water directive (BWD) (76/160/EEC 2006) demands the implementation of reliable early warning systems for bathing waters, which are known to be subject to short-term pollution. However, the BWD does not provide clearly defined threshold levels above which an early warning system should start warning or informing the population. Statistical regression modelling is a commonly used method for predicting concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria.

Impacts of combined sewer overflows on a large urban river - Understanding the effect of different management strategies.

To support decision makers in planning effective combined sewer overflow (CSO) management strategies an integrated modelling and impact assessment approach has been developed and applied for a large urban area in Berlin, Germany. It consists of an urban drainage model, a river water quality model and a tool for the quantification of adverse dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions in the river, one of the main stressors for urban lowland rivers. The coupled model was calibrated successfully with average Nash-Sutcliffe-efficiencies for DO in the river of 0.

Calibration of UV/Vis spectrophotometers: A review and comparison of different methods to estimate TSS and total and dissolved COD concentrations in sewers, WWTPs and rivers.

UV/Vis spectrophotometers have been used for one decade to monitor water quality in various locations: sewers, rivers, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), tap water networks, etc. Resulting equivalent concentrations of interest can be estimated by three ways: i) by manufacturer global calibration; ii) by local calibration based on the provided global calibration and grab sampling; iii) by advanced calibration looking for relations between UV/Vis spectra and corresponding concentrations from grab sampling. However, no study has compared the applied methods so far.

Urban flood risk assessment using sewer flooding databases.

Sustainable water management is a global challenge for the 21st century. One key aspect remains protection against urban flooding. The main objective is to ensure or maintain an adequate level of service for all inhabitants.