1.

General overview of urban drainage principles

and practice
by Cedo Maksimovic

1.1 Introduction
This chapter is meant to serve as a common introduction to UNESCOs three
publication dealing with urban drainage in three particular climate zones:

volumes

ASA - Arid and Semi Arid

HT Humid tropical and subtropical and
CC Cold climate zones
Its structure reflects the need to underline the similarities of urban drainage problems in
particular climate zones and to address the need for breakthroughs in both research and
application of the adequate tool in these region. The chapter provides an introduction to the
contemporary state of the art in analysis, modelling , design and management of urban drainage
systems indicating that the particular aspects are covered in separate volumes for each zone .
The principles of fitting the urban drainage solutions into integrated catchment management
plans is introduced. Two principal components of the integrated flood mitigation solution such
as: structural and non-structural measures applied in two parts of a river basin (catchment) i.e.:
urban and suburban zone and the rest of the catchment rural and natural areas are presented.
The differences of the situations in developing and developed countries have been highlighted.
The concept of natural drainage within the broader framework of sustainable solutions is
re-iterated and its major components will be presented by distinguishing between the
rehabilitation of aged systems and the construction of new ones.
The scope dependent nature of storm system modelling is presented in the form an
appropriate tool for each task. The major types of modelling concept (quality, quantity,
interactions, integrated) are briefly analysed, by placing an emphasis on data needs and data
reliability as well as on the need for development of a new generation of modules that will be
able to cope with particular aspects of specific climates.

1.2 General characteristics of urban drainage and sustainability concept

Water in urban areas, and urban storm drainage as a part of the urban infrastructure, are topics
which are gaining in importance in recent years. Cities now house 50% of the world population,
consume 75% of its resources, yet occupy only 2% of the land surface. By the middle of the next
9

century, it is confidently predicted that 70% of the global population will live in urban areas. The
number of mega cities (> 10 million inhabitants) will increase to over 20, 80% of which are in
developing countries (Niemcynowicz, 1996). Properly designed and operated urban drainage
systems with its interactions with other urban water systems are crucial element of healthy and
safe urban environment.
The concept of sustainable development is provoking a profound rethinking in our
approach to urban water management (ASCE/UNESCO-IHP, 1998). Sustainable development is
that which meets the needs and aspirations of the present generation without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs (WCED, 1987). So, sustainable solutions
have a now and a then component, and improvements though necessary in the present must
not be carried out at the expense of future needs and situations. An alternative definition (IUCNUNEP-WWF, 1991) asserts that sustainable development is that which improves the quality of
human life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems. Here, the
emphasis is placed on mankinds demand for and impact upon earth resources and the
environment. Finally, Agenda 21 behoves us to think global, but act local. Public participation
becomes important and demands individual responsibility. Sustainable services must be
environmentally friendly, socially acceptable and financially viable into the next millennium
(Butler & Maksimovic 1999). The sustainability concept calls for overall rethinking and this
implies paying attention to particular situations in the local area. Learning about natural and man
made processes that affect the runoff quality and quantity is of prime importance. This
publication is thus expected to point out the most important issues that affect the way that we
analyse, design, build and operate our storm drainage systems in a nature friendly fashion. Our
current knowledge about the physical processes involved is far from satisfactory, even in
temperate climates where the most of research has been carried out in the past. Knowledge
about processes affecting urban storm drainage systems in particular climates covered in this
publication (arid and semi-arid, humid tropical and subtropical and cold) is far from
satisfactory. However the publication is aimed at providing an up to date look at solutions to
flooding and water quality problems. The concept of sustainability calls for amenity and
resources recycling to be taken into account as well. The authors are aware of the fact that many
issues raised here require further studies, research and development and that the issues raised
will provoke further refinements.
In densely populated developed countries (UK, Germany, some parts of the USA, Japan,
etc.), urban drainage consumes a high proportion of the investments into urban infrastructure.
The reasons for this are the obvious need for an integrated approach to urban water
management, and raised public awareness of the pollution caused by urban effluents, which
affect both the urban areas themselves and the receiving water bodies. The situation in
developing counties is also changing rapidly in the sense that all parties involved in planning,
design, management and maintenance as well as funding ( World Bank, aid agencies etc.) are
becoming aware that storm drainage can not be ignored. On the contrary, it has to be
incorporated into integrated urban infrastructure projects with their mutual interactions
encompassing not only the conventional problem of flood mitigation but also health hazard
reduction (water quality concerns) and problems of urban amenities and resources management
(Figure 1.1).
Although cities are in contact with water from various origins (ground water, streams
flowing through or near the city etc.), the major concern of urban drainage systems is water
originating in the city area itself, i.e. water from local rainfall (urban storm runoff) and its
interaction with the water originating from the rest of the river basin.
The change of the role of urban storm drainage (USD) and developments of information
processing technology have imposed a need for new tools and products to be used in the
problem solving procedure. Methods for flood protection by local storms and for assessment of
the effects of pollution transported by storms on receiving waters have been significantly
10

improved during the past two decades with the introduction of computer based simulation,
design, optimisation, real time control and management. The achievements of modern
informatics (i.e., a higher level of information processing) have made a significant impact on all
aspects of problem solving. However, despite significant development achieved, there is still a
big gap to be bridged since a compact and reliable package that adequately predicts dynamics
and spatial distribution of urban floods and that incorporates source control measures does not
seem to exist in the world.

Quality

Quantity

Amenity
and resources

Figure 1.1 Stormwater quality, quantity and amenity and resources management of equal
importance
In modern societies, the status of urban drainage as a part of the integrated infrastructure
system varies from one country to another, depending primarily on the level of development and
the society awareness of the importance of this problem. In general, the importance of the system
increases with the level of development, but there are also exceptions. The awareness of the wetweather pollution potential has rapidly increased in recent years. The systems, which used to
have a simple function of collecting storm water and conveying it to the nearest point of disposal
as soon as possible, have gradually evolved and are being replaced by the integrated systems
which are gaining in importance. Their role has changed and now in addition to covering urban
flood protection, pollution control and management they are starting to cater for improvement of
the quality of life by bringing water features creating urban amenity in the city. Additionally,
storm water is considered to be a precious resource, which can be retained near the source to be
reused, recharged to the underground for aquifer replenishment or to create habitat for the return
of wildlife to designated urban areas etc.
Conventional urban drainage systems are separate such as shown in Figure 1.2 or
combined in which case both waste and stormwater share the same pipe. During dry weather,
water is directed to treatment plant (if existing) and during wet weather, part of the mixed water
in combined sewers diverts to receiving stream via Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO). If the city
is served by a wastewater treatment plant, CSOs may be one of the major point sources of
receiving water pollution. In practice, separate systems rarely remain fully separate; there is
always some storm water in foul system and waste water in storm systems. In most cases they
behave like two combined systems with various degrees of waste water dilution. Treatment
plant suffers from intermittent overload during storm periods. Increased environmental concern
has lead to development of the concept in which, at least in developed countries, conventional
storm drainage systems are gradually being replaced by the systems based on runoff quantity
and quantity control. The system consists of several techniques that aim at controlling the
problem as near to the source as possible thus the term source control. They all attempt to
mimic the natural processes involved. The techniques include storage, treatment and infiltration,
by a water management treatment train (Figure 1.3), that results in significant reduction of
11

peak and volume of runoff, improved water quality and a possibility of using storm water as a
resource and as an element of urban amenity. However, the means of implementing the element
and principles of this technology in urban drainage in particular climates is an art still to be
mastered despite significant achievement in some countries for example Sweden, Stahre (1999)
in cold climate, city of Curitiba, Brazil, in tropical, several cases in Israel etc in arid climate
conditions as resented by Simon (1996). However, in order to reach greater sustainability in both
conventional and innovative urban drainage systems, better understanding of the physical
processes, interactions between the systems and environment in particulate climatic conditions is
needed. This publication is supposed to cover part of missing information and to address the
problems that need further investigations.

Surface
flow
Industrial

Inlet

Sanitary

Treatment
plant

Outflow
Treated water

Figure 1.2 A conventional separate foul and surface water drainage

Conveyance
Evaporation

Conveyance

Discharge

Prevention

Discharge

Source control
Site control
Regional control
Infiltration
Receiving water

Figure 1.3. Surface drainage management train likely sustainable solution (CIRIA555)

12

1.3 Urban drainage system as a part of an integrated river basin water

management principles of design and operation
It is well known that the river basin has been considered an entity that determines both the
range and reach of human activities with respect to water in both ancient and modern societies.
The catchment is used as a unit for planning and management of not only water, but also of other
resources, as well as human and economic activities. In the case of urban drainage of a particular
city, the relevance of a catchment is greater for smaller catchments and decreases as the size of
the catchment increases, in the sense that the relative effect of the quantity and quality of runoff
water generated by that particular drainage system diminishes with the size of the catchment and
with the distance from the point of storm water disposal. However, the integrated effect of all
storm drainage systems contributing to the balance of surface water and to the flux of suspended
sediment and other pollutants has to be taken into account at the level of river basin or sub-basin
upstream of the point under consideration, especially in densely populated areas. The interaction
of storm drainage systems with downstream municipalities and water users is strong in those
cases when the drainage peak flow uses up the capacity of the river channel, so that no capacity is
left for downstream runoff. In these cases, the downstream-upstream relationships and links
have to be analysed in order to either share the existing capacity or to share the costs of its
enlargement. Small river basins in densely populated areas are therefore more sensitive to this
problem and shall be analysed in the following discussion. On the other hand, the rivers carrying
water from large catchments serve as receiving waters for both solid and dissolved pollutants,
and the effect of urban storm water disposal has to be analysed from the point of view of its
pollution and contribution to the silting of downstream water, including reservoirs.
Alterations to the natural water balance within the catchment area can have both
positive and adverse effects on upstream and downstream water users. In that respect,
integrated planning and design of urban drainage systems requires that both effects are analysed
and an unbiased assessment is made in all phases of the planning and management process.
Figure 4. outlines an approach which integrates catchment wide, metropolitan/municipal as
well as local area planning and management considerations.

Figure 1.4. Urban Storm Water Master Plan as a part of the Catchment Management Plan

13

The general goal of integrated water management is a sustainable utilisation of water

resources respecting the social, economic and environmental interests. Considering the close
interrelationship between the society and economy, the first two groups are usually aggregated
into socio-economic issues. It also includes institutional issues. It should be recognised that the
goals and objectives of integrated water management are formulated at various spatial scales,
involving all three components. According to Butler and Maksimovic (1999) the institutional
aspects cover the following:
Development of improved informatic support tools for planning, design and
operational management based on improved quantity and quality of data.
Incorporation of more (relevant) components and stakeholders into the decisionmaking process (e.g. sustainability, public attitudes).
Development of methodologies to evaluate the uncertainty and risk associated with
future water management strategies.
Decision on how to consult and educate the public concerning the importance of urban
water issues.
Devising suitable organisational/institutional structures to incorporate the integrated,
holistic system management we advocate.
Enacting appropriate supporting water legislation and standards.
The fundamental qualities of integrated water management are its holistic nature, which
recognises the system complexity and inter-connectivity of its elements, demonstrated by
exchange of information, energy and matter, and the style of planning actions. The holistic
approach also equally involves local/municipal and regional authorities, engineers and natural
scientists, environmentalists and decision makers, politicians of all parties, governing and in
opposition, as well as the people affected (Geiger, 1994 and Geiger & Becker, 1997). Sustainable
water management ensures that no matter is accumulated or energy is lost, by recovery and
reuse techniques. This approach requires novel, environmentally sound technologies. In the
urban drainage field it calls for a wider application of source control. In the context of urban and
industrial water resources, the most pertinent water uses are water supply (safe, reliable and
equitable), drainage and flood protection (affordable), sanitation with maximum reuse, recreation
(protecting public health), aesthetic and cultural values, and ecosystem health. Solutions applied
at urban catchment level have to be analysed in terms of it upstream and downstream
interactions. The conditions may vary in various climate conditions and these will be analysed in
the main chapters of this publication .
Contributions of urban storm drainage projects to the conflicts and uncertainty in water
resources plans at a river basin level, can be analysed by taking into consideration the ways in
which the existing urban structures, their features, and the newly planned drainage elements
affect both water balance and quality in a particular urban area. In this respect, the major
difference between urban and rural (or natural) part of a river basin, is the reduced infiltration
potential of urban areas and the fast response in generation of surface runoff. A mutual
interaction of urban runoff and flows in adjacent steams is shown in Fig. 5. Water running from
the upstream parts of catchments flows either through the citys regulated stream, or through its
system of urban drainage infrastructure. The major difference in approaches to integrated
solutions is indicated by the ratio of the urban peak flow to the flow in the receiving stream, at
the downstream end of the urban area. The forms of urban flooding caused by other man made
and natural disasters such as storm surges that usually coincide with heavy rainfall , dike break
(Iwasa, Inoue, 1987) have also to be taken into account.
We take the Danube, as a large river flowing through the large cities of Vienna, Bratislava,
Budapest, Belgrade, etc., as an example. In the most extreme events of heavy storms over these
cities, the local runoff contributes only a very small proportion of the flow in the river, and one
14

can claim that the management of urban storm drainage system in these cities will not
significantly affect the flow in the Danube. This effect is diminishing as one travels form the
spring to the river mouth. In that respect, and with reference to water quantity, these systems do
not affect the peak flow in the receiving water and can be designed independently. However,
small streams near large cities (i.e. small value of the factor - equation 1) are strongly affected
by the urban runoff peak flows, and implementation of source control could be strongly
recommended. In some cases it is the only solution. In many cases, the peak flow generated by
urban runoff is comparable to the conveyance capacity of the receiving stream. In these cases, the
management of urban drainage has a significant effect on the receiving water and its downstream
reaches. Consequently, the solution for the particular storm drainage problems has to be
developed at the catchment level, and in an integrated way. However, growing concerns over the
quality of surface runoff require that the interaction of particular citys pollution load is
addressed in conjunction with other pollution contributions from both upstream and
downstream urban areas. The difference in the capacity of the main receiving water calls for
classification of the concepts of storm drainage solutions, depending on the ratio of the peak
flows, likely to occur at the point of disposal (end of the pipe), to the average discharge in the
receiving stream (shown in Figure 1.5.)
=

QR0 QR
QR

(1.1)

where : Q R

= inflow at the upstream end of the urbanised area; Q R = outlet flow at the
0
downstream end of the urbanised area.

Figure 1.5. Classification of urban sub-catchments and interaction between urban runoff and the
adjacent river.
In the cases when the receiving urban stream reaches its full capacity under the effect of a
given return period flood wave. Source control solutions will be strongly dependent on the value
of the factor and of the urban catchment location (part of the city at high elevations and storm
water drained by gravity, or part of the city at low elevations which can be flooded by receiving
water). A high value of the factor , means the high capacity of the receiving water, thus the
storm runoff from the local urban area might not affect water level in the river. Thus the
implementation of source control may be less beneficial to the for the part of the city located on
15

the left river bank situated in the higher elevations (Figure 1.2.) than to the portion of the city
located on the opposite side of the river. In the latter case, the implementation of source control
measures could result in significant savings in both construction and operation management
costs. Both the cities of Budapest and Belgrade are good examples in which the portions of the
city on opposite sides of the receiving waters (Danube in the case of Budapest and both Sava and
Danube rivers in the case of Belgrade), have completely different flooding vulnerabilities and
different source control suitability. Thus the portions on different river banks would benefit
differently if source control measures would have been applied.
As a conclusion to this section one can say that there are no universal rules of thumb for
implementation of source control techniques. The most appropriate solutions have to be firstly
sought through the resolution of conflicts between land and water users at catchment level and
than at the level of municipal storm water plan. Both structural and non-structural measures
have to be analysed in terms of the suitability to an application of source control and benefits
that can be reached. Stormwater quality issues, which were almost ignored in the past, have to
be addressed properly in terms of their spatial and temporal distribution and effects on receiving
water bodies.
A possible approach in the evaluation of suitability by GIS support is given in
the paper of Macropoulos et al ( 1998) and will be discussed later in the section 05).

1.4 Basic principles of rainfall-runoff and pollution modelling and outlook

for their application in particular climates
1.4.1. Water quantity aspects
Modelling in urban drainage serves various purposes such as overall assessment of the
catchment response as a part of strategic and master planning to detailed network and ancillary
elements design, assessment of pollution, operational management, real time control and analysis
of interactions among sub-systems. The type of model applied depends on the goal of modelling,
spatial coverage, data and technology availability but most often on the knowledge, skills and
experience of the modeller. Once familiarised with a certain model, the user tends to apply it
even in the cases in which that particular model is not appropriate. In principle the simple
lumped models (black box and similar) in which the whole catchment is treated as an entity, can
provide reliable results and good fit with measurements obtained on the same point from which
the data have been used for calibration. One cannot expect to get realistic results for the points
within the catchment ( network) unless the measurement is performed on that point and new
model obtained by calibration against that data sets. The only reliable approach is to obtain
more reliable data on a catchments physical characteristics and then develop and apply
physically based model in which uncertainty is reduced by replacing the role of physically
meaningless parameters with these characteristics. The general principles of
conceptual and
physically based models of both water quality and quantity have been known for several decades
Maksimovic, Radojkovic (1986) , Yen (1986), OLaughlin et al (1996).
Detailed description of modelling principles in temperate climates in which these models
have been developed, and from which the data were collected for model calibration, is beyond
the scope of the present chapter. More details on the attempt to use these models in specific
climates will be given in the separate chapters.
The conceptual models are based on assumptions such as constant runoff coefficient, SCS
curve numbers, rational formula, time-area, unit hydrograph etc. originating years before the
computers reached the level of development that allowed their broader application in daily
practice. Although they were developed for application in natural and rural catchments, they
continued to be used in urban areas, where the conditions are significantly more complex, spatial
variability of soil and impervious areas require much finer spatial resolution, and man made
16

object require detailed specification of infrastructure system and their interaction with the flow
pattern. When properly calibrated against measurements, these models can produce seemingly
logical results especially if one is modelling the whole urban area as a single catchment and
model calibration performed against data in one point. This could be useful for example in
design of centralised storage facilities, inflow to treatment plants and similar cases when the
response of the whole catchment is considered. However, for detailed runoff modelling of
complex features such as trunk systems with broad sub-catchment areas, street drainage systems
with detailed property drainage components and sub-catchments, models of this nature generate
results of high level of uncertainty.
Physically based models in which a more detailed presentation of the catchment
characteristics are made and distributed modelling is applied should theoretically be less
sensitive to subjective assessment of model parameters. In the simplest terms, the whole
catchment is divided (delineated) in smaller sub-catchments which, depending on the purpose of
modelling, can vary in shape and size arbitrarily as to accommodate, the most realistic model
presentation of flow pattern (Figure 1.6). The temperate climate approach considers the following
element of modelling :
Rainfall as an input: single storm, series, historical rainfall, etc.
Interception (surface depression)
Infiltration (steady, unsteady, unsaturated soil, simple solution or Richards equation
based solutions)
Surface runoff
Gutter flow
Flow in ancillary structures
Pipe flow
When it comes to runoff modelling in specific climate conditions it is evident that this
approach needs further upgrades as to accommodate features like:

Different forms of precipitation (snow fall in CC)

Different forms of interception (HT)
Different forms of runoff formation (snow melt in CC)
Effect of different cultural, planning, building and other effect on interception (ASA and
other)
Strong interaction of surface runoff with sediment transport (ASA)
Lack of proper infrastructure and interactions with solid waste and waste water (
developing countries, low income habitats)
Interaction with ground water (infiltration, exfiltration - all)
Interaction with source control features
Interactions with real time and other control structures.

It is evident that these features require separate attention, although not necessarily a
completely new model. Most of them can be accommodated into reliable, well conceptualised
physically based model. This does require more knowledge, reliable data, proper interpretation.
Some of the shortcomings of the models of this nature as presented in the paper of
Maksimovic et al (1999) are:
Concepts dating back many decades. The development of contemporary information
technologys computing power has not always been mirrored by improvements in the
models,
17

 The outdated concepts are often hidden behind powerful graphics and presentation
glamour
Modelling of urban water interactions are almost non-existent and integrated modelling
is in its infancy

Figure 1.6. Summary of physically based approach requiring a reliable catchment delineation
Many models lack modularity, transparency and transportability (automatic "scaling
up and down"),

18

 Data quality and completeness is usually not properly addressed by software

developers, its users often lack the knowledge of basic assumptions on which models
are built,
Data acquisition and processing are not compliant with model structure and
complexity, or models are not capable of producing proper results from available data
base (DRIPS Syndrome - Data Rich Information Poor Systems
Complete digital data on the urban infrastructure and on the spatial distribution of
basic urban environment features (land use, DEM- digital elevation models etc.) is
rarely found at an appropriate horizontal and vertical resolution,
Thorough testing against high quality data sets is often exercised neither by developers
nor by users,
High level of independent, international verification of new products is rarely
performed. In-house verification tends not to reveal the weak points of the products,
A proper educational component is often missing.
Additionally, OLoughlin et al (1996) claim: Despite this availability of information, tools
and guides, and the success of rainfall-runoff models in providing generally acceptable basis for
design of infrastructure works, there are limitations to the modelling of rainfall-runoff processes
. They identify four major reasons for this:

Insufficient data
Variability of rainfall inputs
Insufficient temporal detail
Model incompatibility

Concerning the level of detail they point out that engineers have long been skilled at
idealising or conceptualising systems, to produce manageable models involving typically 10 to
100 elements to represent a complex urban drainage network. Now that there is a capacity to
work with more detail, it is necessary to look at appropriate levels for various tasks and the
relationships between models of various scales.
It has already been mentioned that for studies concerning general response (in the terms of
both quality and quantity) of the catchment or sub-catchment of a considerable size, it may
suffice to apply a lumped approach in which spatial variability of catchement characteristics as
well as of precipitation is ignored. Providing that reliable measurements at the end of catchments
are available, the results of input-output correlations are used instead. Some models of this
nature will be discussed in the particular chapters of separate volumes.
1.4.2. Quality aspects
Storm water runoff becomes polluted when it washes off concentrated and diffused pollution
sources spread across the catchment. An example of the average concentrations found in storm
runoff is presented in Table 1.1. (Source: Xanthopoulos and Hahn 1993 and Cordery 1977).
In addition to soil erosion caused by raindrop impacts and shear stress action, two major
sources contribute to storm water pollution in temperate climate zones:
a. diffused sources (Figure 1.7) originating primarily from atmospheric fallout and vehicle
emission, additionally spread by the vehicles and wind and
b. concentrated sources originating mostly from human activities bad housekeeping
(industrial wastes, chemicals spread in urban areas gardening for example) exposed to
and widespread by wash-off by storm runoff.
19

Both of the processes generate soluble and suspended material. Throughout the process of
transport, depending on hydraulic conditions, settling and re-suspension takes place on the
surface and in pipes, as well as biological and chemical reactions. These processes are often
considered to be more intense in the initial phase of the storm (first flush effect), however, due to
temporal and spatial variability of rainfall and flowing water, first flush effects are more
pronounced in pipes rather than on surfaces Deletic (1998), where high concentrations of
pollutants can be expected throughout the runoff process. The success of runoff quality
modelling exercise is strongly dependent on the quality of model (its reliability to realistically
reproduce processes taking place in nature), and the reliability of data against which the model
has been calibrated
Table 1.1. An example of average concentrations of pollutants in storm runoff
Quantity
Mean Concentration
Conductivity (S/cm)
108 - 470
BOD (mg/l)
7.3- 15
TOC (mg/l)
26 28.3
NH4(mg/l)
1.92-2.75
Pb (g/l)
160-525
Zn(g/l)
320 - 2000
Ni(g/l)
35-57
pH
6.47-6.78
COD (mg/l)
47-146
DOC(mg/l)
3.1.-5.1
P(mg/l)
3.1.-5.1
P(mg/l)
1.6-2.95
Cd(g/l)
2.8 6.4
Cu(g/l)
23-184
Coliforms (/100ml
2.2 5.6 (10*6)
Similar to quantity modelling, storm runoff quality modelling can be undertaken at
various levels of complexity, starting again with simplest input - output relationships. More
advanced models deal with spatial distribution of diffused pollution sources and analysis of
unsteady process of incipient of solid particles motion, bringing them to suspension, transport
along the paved areas, deposition in grassed areas (Deletic 1999), transport through the pipes
and disposal either into receiving water body or into treatment plant.
In order to enable the comparison of modelling approaches between the models being used
in temperate climates with those in development or in need to represent the conditions in other
climate conditions, the basic principles of quality modelling are briefly summarised. Most of the
models in current practice model the runoff quality by correlating the concentration of pollutants
to the concentration of particles of suspended solids which are modelled in the phase of build-up
and wash-off. The most common approach in build-up modelling is based on the assumption of
an exponential relationship between the amount of solids available on the surface, M, and the
duration of antecedent dry weather period, tdry. This equation was adopted in the model of
Deletic at al (1977) Figure 1. 8:
M( T ) = M o (1 e

k( t dry + t')

(1.2)

where M [g/m2] is the amount of solids available on the surface, T [day] is the time elapsed from
the start of the first rainfall in the series, tdry [day] is the duration of antecedent dry weather
20

period, and t' [day] is the virtual time, M0 [g/m2] is the maximum amount of solids expected at
the surface, and k [day-1] the accumulation constant.
The virtual time is calculated by assuming that deposition is zero at t days before the start
of the antecedent rainfall, as indicated in Figure 1.8.
A spatial distribution of solids is modelled, based on records from the literature, a different
approach to prior models, which all assume that sediment is distributed evenly over the
modelled surface.
It should be noticed here that this approach build-up modelling could be successfully
used in ASA climates where most of the solids accumulated are either atmospheric deposit or
are transported by wind. However, in cold climates where a great deal of pollution is
experienced in the snowmelt period from de-icing activities, which are not uniformly
distributed over the entire catchment, alternative methods have to be applied (for example GIS
supported spatial distribution of salt used in de-icing). In this respect a critical evaluation of other
models used in both quantity and quality modelling in particular climate conditions should be
made as for their suitability for application in specific climates.

wind

Rain and
snowmelt
traffic

industrial wastes and landfills

soil
erosion

polluted
runoff
human activities

Figure 1.7. Diffused pollution sources in urban area

21

activities

The reliable modelling of suspended solids wash-off has to be combined with surface and pipe
flows to which the solids entrainment module has to be attached. The approach applied in
Deleti} et al (1997) will be used as an illustration. In this approach, the solids wash-off one
dimensional model contains the following sub-blocks: 1. overland flow; 2. solids entrainment; 3.
suspended solids transport by overland flow. Overland flow is modelled using the kinematic
wave equation, which has been used before for the modelling of surface runoff. Solids entrainment
is assessed by a new method, developed by the first author, which considers independently
rainfall and overland flow effects on amount of material lifted from the surface.
The rainfall effect is assessed by means of the kinetic energy of rain drops, while the effect
of flow is expressed by shear stress. One calibration coefficient is needed for this method. The
general principles of modelling will be described in more detail enabling thus the comparison to
be made between the commonly applied approach and the one that could be used in presenting
the specific aspects wash-off in ASA, CC and HT climates. Physically based modelling deals with
mass and momentum conservation principles which are that simplified or adjusted for the
specific features of the particular catchments characteristics, boundary conditions internal and
external local climate induced boundary conditions.
For a unit width of the road surface (Fig. 1.9.a) the continuity equation, Eq. 1.3, and the full
momentum equation, Eq. 1.3, can be written as:
h q
+
= ie
t x

(1.3)

+ i
q (q 2 / h )
h
+
+ gh
ghS s + b
=0
1
2
3
t 142
x43 123
x
4
{
1
42
3
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Figure 1.8: The concept used in modelling of solids build-up at the surface

Figure 9: a) Road surface flow; b) Gutter flow

22

(1.4)

where, h [m] is the water depth, q [m3/s/m] is the unit overland flow, ie [m/s] is the effective
rainfall intensity, Ss [-] is the surface slope (the natural slope of the street surface), tb [Pa] is the
bed shear stress, ti [Pa] is the additional shear stress due to rainfall drops, x is the spatial coordinate, and t is the time from the start of rain. It should be noted here that the source term on
the right hand side of the equation 1 is based only on the contribution from direct rainfall. In CC
conditions for example this term has to be modified as to include the effects of snow melt and
freezing, which have to incorporate the temporal variations their thermodynamic properties.
Similarly in HT and ASA conditions it might be necessary to include the evaporation term
which has not been included here.
The initial and boundary conditions are given below,
h(x ,0) = 0 ; q(x ,0) = 0 ;q(0 , t ) = q up ( t )

(1.5)

where qup is the unit overland flow at the end of the upstream section. The effective rainfall
intensity ie was calculated by Linsley's equation,
i e = i(1 e P / yd )

(1.6)

where i [m/s] is rainfall intensity; P = idt [mm] is the total amount of precipitation up to time t,
0

and yd [mm] is the retention coefficient and is dependent on surface type.

The bed shear stress, tb was defined as:
q

b = C b ( ) 2
2
h

(1.7)

The friction coefficient, Ctb depends on the flow type :

C1
Re Re Re b , laminar flow
C b =
C
2 Re > Re b , turbulent flow
Re C3

(1.8)

where Re=q/ is the Reynolds number and is the water kinematic viscosity. C1, C2, and C3 are
constants that depend on surface type, and Reb is the critical Reynolds number between laminar
and turbulent flow.
The effect of rain drops was modelled by an additional shear stress, i which is difficult to
define separately. Therefore, the total shear stress, written as,
t = b + i

(1.9)

which incorporates both phenomena was used.

The local and convective terms (marked as Term 1 and Term 2 in Eq. 1.4), as well as the
pressure gradient term (marked as Term 3) are much smaller then the remaining two and are
usually neglected and only gravity and friction terms (Term 4 and Term 5) were kept within the
dynamic equation. The resulting equation is well known as the kinematic wave equation, and
has been used for the modelling of both overland and gutter flow . Consequently, for modelling
of gutter flow the following equations can employed (Fig. 1.9.b).

23

A Q
+
= q w + q r + ieLg
t x

Q=

0.375 8 /3 S g
H
tg
n

(1.10)
(1.11)

where Q [m3/s] is the gutter flow; qw [m2/s] is the unit inflow from the sidewalk; qr [m2/s] is the
unit inflow from the road surface; ie [m/s] is the effective rainfall intensity Lg [m] is the gutter
width, A [m2] is the cross section area, H [m] is the water depth by the curb, n [m-1/3 s] is the
Manning roughness coefficient, Sg [-] is the longitudinal slope of the gutter, [0] is the transverse
angle of the gutter. Eq. 1.11 is known as Izzard's (1946) formula which differs slightly from
Manning's expression, but gives better results for the shallow flow in a triangular cross section
channel . In specific climate conditions the right hand side of the equation 1.10 can be modified
as to include additional terms the contribute to water balance.
It was assumed that there is no flow at the beginning of a rainfall event (the initial
conditions). The inflow from the upstream reach was used as an upstream boundary condition.
Furthermore, the solids entrainment, pollution transport by overland flow and gutter flow are
modelled by making use of kinetic energy of rainfall drop impact, carrying capacity of surface
runoff and principle of turbulent transport and diffusion in open channel flow (Deletic et al.
1997). Although these principles are universal thus applicable in other climate conditions, the
appropriate modifications have to be made in transport and diffusion equations in order to
incorporate their specific conditions, mainly in the source and sink terms of mass conservation
and transport equations. Some of these principles are discussed in the main body of the text,
however it should be noted that they are to be further investigated, tested and checked against
reliable data. In this respect this publication is to be seen as a source of information on both
current practice and need for further investigations in order to realistically reflect the conditions
in particular climates. Additionally, it is noted that the above considerations have only dealt
with suspended solids.

1.5 Common UD models and needs for their improvements and update
Physically based models are based on the analysis of processes on the surface and in networks,
and is performed by taking into account detailed features on the surface (topography, soil
characteristics, land use, connectivity between elements etc.) and of the networks and ancillary
structures. This section will mention just a few (more detailed presentations are given in the
other chapters ) of the existing models available either freely or commercially:
SWMM (US EPAs Storm Water Management Model) Huber (1995). This is one of the
first models developed, with a high degree of physically based principles incorporated.
Its initial versions (still in frequent use in its original main frame version) have served
as a basis for development of the other models which have taken advantage of later
development of personal computer technology.
Hydroworks (HR Wallinford Wallingford Software)
The latest versions of the package are user orientated and can be used for matching
with data sources and in composition of reports.
MOUSE (DHI Danish Hydraulics Institute-1990) Broadly used internationally. The
developers have made an effort to incorporate some of the developments of PC
24

technology (for example data base management in network simplification). A

discrepancy is noticed between versatile pipe flow model and surface runoff one which
would benefit from upgrading and proper matching with GIS and surface flooding
routines.
Hystem Extran (ITWH Fuchs and Scheffer ( 1990)
Bemus (IRTCUD, Djordjevic et al 1998)
However the models seem to have reached a level in which most of the model developers
seem to have lost enthusiasm for further upgrade and improvement of models capability in
dealing with complexity of urban environment. Adding powerful graphic and colourful
images does not contribute to the reliability of modelling as long as the upgrade of the physical
background is not improved. In addition to the above specific particular features of particular
climate regions, the following aspects need to dealt with in either model development or
customising for application in particular climate conditions:
Capturing, filtering, compaction and processing of high spatial resolution data
(primarily obtained by remote sensing. These data
would enable a better
representation of terrain and land use) and its matching with GIS tools, the use of which
could enhance the analytical power of the models.
Analysis of the effect of maintenance and management practices (de-icing, sewer
flushing, gullyspot cleaning, street sweeping and of the other storm runoff and quality
relevant activities) on water quality
Analysis of the effects of source control practices
Surface flooding (interactions of surcharged underground network with superficially
flooded areas, flood risk analysis)
These new incentives seem to be needed for a significant breakthrough to be made. This
publication aims to provide some material which could serve as a guideline for development of
new generation of models or improvement of the existing ones.

1.6 GIS and informatic support

Geographical Information Systems are know to deal with acquisition, processing and
implementation of data of a spatial nature (Boroughs 1986). Despite significant progress being
made in this technology and its application in various water and environmental engineering
fields, their application in urban drainage is still relatively limited. Significant progress has been
made in the use of GIS based data in creation of data bases linked urban water infrastructure
system simulation models (for example AquaBase Kuby 1998). For the creation of initial data
sets (GIS layers) various sources of data can be used (Figure 1.10). The systems are extremely
powerful in providing input data to models after the elementary manipulations with layers
presenting physical features of the catchment (such as elevation model and land use) and
superficial and underground network have been performed. Starting in the late eighties, with
some of the first papers on GIS application in urban drainage - Elgy et al (1993), the research
group of the present author has developed a methodology for handling arbitrary data sources
and automatic creation of input files for storm drainage modelling. An example of data
preparation for creation of input files for catchment delineation (Maksimovic (1995) is given in
Figure 1.11. The results of application of catchment delineation is presented in Figure 1.12.
Figures 1.13 present the results of application of GIS functionalities in the analysis - assessment of
the suitability of a catchment of implementation of source control techniques and Figure 1.13
depicts the results of the application of this analysis in the survey of the applicability of source
25

control in the same catchment (Macropoulos et al 1998 and Macropoulos et al 1999). The works
of Prodanovic (1999) and Djordjevic et al (1998) provide further development towards GIS assisted physically-based flood modelling in urban areas based on the dual drainage concept.
There is a huge unexploited potential of GIS application in particular climates. In the
individual chapters, authors present current techniques in data analysis and modelling. Most of
the specific features of the urban catchment in particular climates are of a spatial nature which
renders them particularly applicable to quantification by GIS (e.g. suitable for application of GIS.
It can be used in quantification of both physical features (such as soil propensity characteristics,
soil erosion, pollutant potential distribution, snow cover, asphalt temperature, solar radiation
exposure). These and other GIS applications are yet to be researched and made a part of the
daily routine.

1:2000

1:2000

Paper
Paper maps
maps
digitizing
digitizing

Satellite images

Video
Video images
images

GPS
GPS data
data

Photogrammetry
Photogrammetry

Digital
Digital data
data from
from
total
total stations
stations

Dynamic
Dynamic positioning
positioning &
& bathimetry
bathimetry data
data

Figure 1.10. Sources of data for GIS applications

Paper maps
Areal photographs etc.
or
DEM -- existing
corrected
Land cover + network
etc.

Pre processing
of primary data
and creation of
secondary files
for
subcatchment
delineation

Slopes
Aspects
Slope threshold
Flow angles
Subcatch. boundaries
etc.
Input files
for models

26

Figure 1.11. Pre processing and post-processing of data for catchment delineation

27

Fig. 1.12. GIS supported catchment delineation (Maksimovic et al 1994)

Fig. 1.13. Suitability of the Klisa catchment for application of infiltration techniques

28

Fig. 14. Reduction in maximum water level for 10 years return period rainfall

1.7. Concluding remarks and acknowledgement

The material presented in the present three volumes is result of the team work of numerous
specialists gathered around the UNESCO IHP V programme under the theme 7: Integrated
Water Management in Urban Areas within the Theme 7.3. Urban Drainage in specific climates.
The series of the three volumes has been produced under the co-ordination role of the regional
IRTCUD (International Research and Training Centre on Urban Drainage) units for particular
climate regions : humid tropical in Brazil, cold in Norway and arid and semi arid in Sharjah.
The production of the present volumes would be impossible without UNESCOs endorsement
and co-ordination roles of the key co-editors: Prof. Carlos Eduardo Morelli Tucci (for HT
volume), Dr. Sveinnung Saegrov, Mrs. Jadranka Milina (MSc) and Prof. Sveinn T. Thorolfsson
(for CC volume) and Prof. Mamdouh Nouh (for ASA volume). Thanks are due to the
contributing authors of the chapters in individual volumes. Their names are listed in the
relevant volumes.
It is sincerely hoped that that publication of these three volumes will encourage further
research and development in those regions in which there is still much to be learned about the
governing physical processes and in which the most appropriate sustainable solutions can be
found to the problems of urban flooding, storm water quality management, amenity
development, provision, enhancement and resources recycling.

29

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31