Peak flow reduction from small catchments using smart inlets

ABSTRACT

A concept for reducing stormwater peak run-off from existing small urban catchments is developed. Stormwater inflow from the ground to the pipeline is managed by smart gullies. The gullies are real-time controlled and therefore capable of predicting the weather conditions. Drainage facilities are usually unable to cope with excessive flows that exceed their design limits. This results in pluvial floods and activation of combined sewer overflows, both of which have negative consequences. Northern Europe is expecting to receive more intense rainstorms in the future; therefore, innovative solutions are needed for flow management. The inlet control presented in our work is financially feasible and efficient to be applied to small catchments with substantial permeable surfaces to reduce the peak run-off. The control system is autonomous; therefore, it is suitable for sites scattered around the urban catchment. The concept was successfully tested in a 12 ha catchment area in Tallinn, Estonia.

KEYWORDS:

• Urban drainage system
• real time control
• stormwater inlet control
• controlled floods

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Institutional Research Funding under Grant IUT19-17; European Union (European Regional Development Fund) Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme under Grant #R093.

Disclosure statement

In accordance with Taylor & Francis policy and my ethical obligation as a researcher, I am reporting that I have no financial and/or business interests in nor am I a consultant in or receiving funding from a company that may be affected by the research reported in the enclosed paper.