Using Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling to Assess Wet-Weather Performance and Sanitary Sewer System Capacity for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities Department (CMUD) developed a system-wide hydrologic and hydraulic model to support its Capacity Assurance Program (CAP) and system planning activities. This model was developed as a tool to assess sanitary sewer system performance and capacity as well as to provide CMUD with a model for performing system analysis.This paper presents a review of the overall project, including model development, system performance and capacity analyses, and lessons learned. Some key features and benefits of this project were:• Calibrated model, using collaboratively developed standards and protocols. This provided a well documented model for analyzing the impact of future system planning that was built following CMUD's preferences.• Performance maps which graphically correlate system performance to risk of failure. This provided critical information for identifying and prioritizing system improvements.• Baseline available capacity data set which provides the basis for CMUD's capacity management system.