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Costs and benefits of combined sewer overflow management strategies at the European scale

Quaranta, Emanuele ; Fuchs, Stephan 1; Liefting, Hendrik Jan; Schellart, Alma; Pistocchi, Alberto
1 Institut für Wasser und Gewässerentwicklung (IWG), Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)

Abstract:

Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) may represent a significant source of pollution, but they are difficult to quantify at a large scale (e.g. regional or national), due to a lack of accessible data. In the present study, we use a large scale, 6-parameter, lumped hydrological model to perform a screening level assessment of different CSO management scenarios for the European Union and United Kingdom, considering prevention and treatment strategies. For each scenario we quantify the potential reduction of CSO volumes and duration, and estimate costs and benefits. A comparison of scenarios shows that treating CSOs before discharge in the receiving water body (e.g. by constructed wetlands) is more cost-effective than preventing CSOs. Among prevention strategies, urban greening has a benefit/cost ratio one order of magnitude higher than grey solutions, due to the several additional benefits it entails. We also estimate that real time control may bring on average a CSO volume reduction of just above 20%. In general, the design of appropriate CSO management strategies requires consideration of context-specific conditions, and is best made in the context of an integrated urban water management plan taking into account factors such as other ongoing initiatives in urban greening, the possibility to disconnect impervious surfaces from combined drainage systems, and the availability of space for grey or nature-based solutions.


Verlagsausgabe §
DOI: 10.5445/IR/1000149048
Veröffentlicht am 27.07.2022
Originalveröffentlichung
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115629
Scopus
Zitationen: 26
Web of Science
Zitationen: 25
Dimensions
Zitationen: 27
Cover der Publikation
Zugehörige Institution(en) am KIT Institut für Wasser und Gewässerentwicklung (IWG)
Publikationstyp Zeitschriftenaufsatz
Publikationsmonat/-jahr 09.2022
Sprache Englisch
Identifikator ISSN: 0301-4797, 1095-8630
KITopen-ID: 1000149048
Erschienen in Journal of Environmental Management
Verlag Elsevier
Band 318
Seiten Art.-Nr.: 115629
Schlagwörter Combined sewer overflow; Water quality; Urban greening; Hydrological model; European assessment; Network retrofitting
Nachgewiesen in Dimensions
Scopus
Web of Science
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