Modelling non-structural Best Management Practices– focus on reductions in stormwater pollution

Abstract

This paper describes a modelling approach for evaluating the efficiency of different non-structural best management practices for stormwater management. A scenario with a set of source reduction practices was simulated using the substance flow model SEWSYS for an urban catchment in the city of Göteborg, Sweden. The scenario is based on a hypothetical control program that includes prevention, education and regulations. The simulation shows relatively high reductions of copper and PAH, 77% and 50%, respectively. The reduction in copper is mainly due to less copper roof corrosion and brake wear, while reduced road wear has the greatest effect for PAH. An important result from this study is that the non-structural BMPs applied did not give a sufficient reduction in pollution to meet the desirable environmental quality criteria. To meet these criteria, additional BMPs must be implemented, preferably a combination of both non-structural and structural measures.