A System for Control of River Water Quality for the Community of Madrid Using QUAL2E

Abstract

The Stream Water Quality Model QUAL2E has been applied to the major rivers of the Comunidad de Madrid in Spain by Canal de Isabel II. Canal de Isabel II is the company responsible for management of Madrid's water supply and waste treatment system. Initially, the model was applied in planning a waste treatment expansion program. Now, QUAL2E is being used to assist in the management of waste treatment plants and in the evaluation of river water quality controls. To facilitate interaction with the model, a comprehensive user interface specific to the Madrid network was written. This paper discusses the unique water quality problems of Madrid, shows how the QUAL2E model was calibrated and verified on the rivers of Madrid, and describes the user interface developed to allow interaction with the model by decision makers in the Regional Government.