Dynamic Hydraulic Modeling of a Wastewater Treatment Plant

Management of wet-weather flows in wastewater treatment plants is becoming increasingly important as weather control programs in collection systems increase end of pipe flows. Development of detailed, dynamic hydraulic models can be an important tool in understanding specific hydraulic constraints. Using software tools that were originally developed to analyse collection system problems, plant operators can now stress test plant standard operating procedures, capital upgrades, and can test the impacts of equipment failures on plant flows and levels during extreme flow events. Collection system models such as the USEPA Storm Water Management Model have not been specifically developed for the simulation of WWTP’s, however they can be used to simulate critical WWTP hydraulic components. Associated Engineering, and EPCOR Water Services worked together to develop a fully dynamic hydraulic model of the Gold Bar WWTP. Components of the design concept, calibration process and model applications are reviewed.