Water Science & Technology Vol 66 No 7 pp 1475–1482 © IWA Publishing 2012 doi:10.2166/wst.2012.331

A software-based sensor for combined sewer overflows

G. Leonhardt, S. Fach, C. Engelhard, H. Kinzel and W. Rauch

A new methodology for online estimation of excess flow from combined sewer overflow (CSO) structures based on simulation models is presented. If sufficient flow and water level data from the sewer system is available, no rainfall data are needed to run the model. An inverse rainfall-runoff model was developed to simulate net rainfall based on flow and water level data. Excess flow at all CSO structures in a catchment can then be simulated with a rainfall-runoff model. The method is applied to a case study and results show that the inverse rainfall-runoff model can be used instead of missing rain gauges. Online operation is ensured by software providing an interface to the SCADA-system of the operator and controlling the model. A water quality model could be included to simulate also pollutant concentrations in the excess flow.

Keywords: combined sewer overflow; inverse model; modelling; SCADA; software-based sensor

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