Real-time control of stormwater detention basins as an adaptation measure in mid-size cities

The performance of predictive real-time control (RTC) of outflow from a detention basin, integrating rainfall forecasts in the definition of the control rules, was assessed in terms of peak flow reduction in the receiving water body, improvement of the level of service of the stormwater network downstream and qualitative treatment of runoff. Evaluations were performed using the PCWMM software with rainfall data for a continuous 6-month period and four individual events, in a future climate. As compared to the situation with static control, peak flows at the outfall were reduced by an average of 46% with predictive RTC, and the downstream collector was used up to 22% less during rainfalls. Also, the detention time reached the desired period of 36 h for water quality control, for most of the simulated rainfall events. This demonstrates the usefulness of RTC as an adaption measure to climate change in existing urban areas.