The hydraulic verification of combined sewer systems as well as the assessment of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) can be conducted using a hydrodynamic model. Unfortunately, long-term simulations with hydrodynamic models for the assessment of CSOs can cause unacceptably long computation times. Using only a series of storm events instead of a precipitation continuum can reduce this time and enables parallel simulation of single storm events. We introduce a method to select this series of storm events. The method’s parameters have been optimized to replicate the overflow volume of the continuous simulation and to minimize the overall computation time. This optimization revealed a generally applicable parameter set that results in series of storm events that are shorter than the precipitation continuum by 86.2–95.2% for the investigated cases. Additionally, the deviation of overflow volume between continuous simulation and series simulation ranges between only 0.1% and 4.1%. ... Read more

Real time control (RTC) is generally viewed as a viable method for optimising the performance of urban wastewater systems. A literature review on the performance evaluation of RTC demonstrated a lack of consensus on how to do this. Two main deficiencies were identified: omitting uncertainty analysis and applying limited evaluation periods. A general methodology to evaluate the performance of RTC in practice, that takes into account these deficiencies, is proposed. The methodology is either data or model driven and the (dis)advantages of each are discussed. In a case study for a combined sewer system with limited discharge to a WWTP, it is demonstrated that the successful application of RTC and the possibility to determine a significant effect is very much dependent on the goal. It also clearly illustrates the need for taking uncertainties into account and that careful consideration in the chosen evaluation period is required. ... Read more