Modeling sewerage overflow in an urban residential area using storm water management model

Abstract

Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) is used in this study for simulating rainfall driven flow in a sewer system that can cause overflow in sewer networks. The simulation is carried out in a residential area located in the Karbala city of Iraq where storm water network is not fully developed. The study reveals that severe rainfall events cause sewer overflow and surface inundation in the area. A number of measures have been proposed including capacity improvement of sewer system, reduction of discharge peak and reduction of exfiltration as a countermeasure to solve the inundation problem. It is expected that the study will help in operational management of the sewerage system and mitigate the flooding problem.