Assessing the accuracy in stormwater quality modelling

What is it about?

The primary objective of the investigation described in this paper was to quantitatively assess process uncertainty in relation to catchment scale stormwater quality predictions focussing on road surfaces, as these are the primary pollutant source to urban stormwater runoff. Accordingly, the research study focused on: (1) the translation of small-plot scale particulate build-up and washoff data into catchment scale stormwater quality predictions; and (2) the extension of the uncertainty assessment approach previously proposed by the authors for small-plot scale pollutant processes models to catchment stormwater quality predictions.

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Why is it important?

Designing effective stormwater pollution mitigation strategies is a challenge in urban stormwater management. This is primarily due to the limited reliability of catchment scale stormwater quality modelling tools. As such, assessing the uncertainty associated with the information generated by stormwater quality models is important for informed decision making. Quantitative assessment of buildup and wash-off process uncertainty, which arises from the variability associated with these processes, is a major concern as typical uncertainty assessment approaches do not adequately account for process uncertainty. Decision making without adequate knowledge of these uncertainties can lead to the design of ineffective stormwater pollution mitigation strategies

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