Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Optimizing stormwater low-impact development strategies in an urban watershed considering sensitivity and uncertainty

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Stormwater management in an urban environment is beset by uncertainties about future development. Dynamic strategies must be devised to cope with such uncertain environment. This work proposes a simulation–optimization model that minimizes the costs of low-impact development (LID) measures for mitigating impacts of future urban development on runoff. This paper’s methodology is tested in an urban watershed in Tehran, Iran, relying on the stormwater management model (SWMM) coupled with the genetic algorithm (GA) to function as a simulation–optimization method for urban–runoff control by means of LID stormwater control measures. A sensitivity analysis of the calculated optimal solution revealed the impacts the most sensitive LIDs would have on runoff considering a set of plausible future development scenarios in the urban catchment. A comparison of the results from two different scenarios of future development with the existing stormwater system’s performance shows the cost increase in redesigning the existing system to make it LID sensitive would equal 20% of the existing system’s cost. The additional cost of redesigning the existing system without LID features would be 45% of the existing system’s cost. These results demonstrate the importance of assessing the sensitivity of designed units in a stormwater management system and studying the trade-offs between possible decisions and future uncertainties concerning development in the watershed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ackerman, D., & Stein, E. D. (2008). Evaluating the effectiveness of best management practices using dynamic modeling. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 134(8), 628–639.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Afshar, A., Bozorg-Haddad, O., Mariño, M. A., & Adams, B. J. (2007). Honey-bee mating optimization (HBMO) algorithm for optimal reservoir operation. Journal of the Franklin Institute, 344(5), 452–462.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bahrami, M., Bozorg-Haddad, O., & Chu, X. (2017). Application of cat swarm optimization algorithm for optimal reservoir operation. Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, 144(1), 04017057.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beygi, S., Bozorg-Haddad, O., Fallah-Mehdipour, E., & Mariño, M. A. (2012). Bargaining models for optimal design of water distribution networks. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 140(1), 92–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bozorg-Haddad, O., Afshar, A., & Mariño, M. A. (2006). Honey-bees mating optimization (HBMO) algorithm: a new heuristic approach for water resources optimization. Water Resources Management, 20(5), 661–680.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bozorg-Haddad, O., Khosroshahi, S., Zarezadeh, M., & Javan, P. (2013). Development of simulation-optimization model for protection of flood areas. Journal of Water and Soil, 27(3), 462–471.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bozorg-Haddad, O., Hosseini-Moghari, S. M., & Loáiciga, H. A. (2015). Biogeography-based optimization algorithm for optimal operation of reservoir systems. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 142(1), 04015034.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bozorg-Haddad, O., Athari, E., Fallah-Mehdipour, E., Bahrami, M., & Loáiciga, H. A. (2018). Allocation of reservoir releases under drought conditions: a conflict-resolution approach. In Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers-Water Management (pp. 1–11). Thomas Telford Ltd.

  • Brown, J. N., & Peake, B. M. (2006). Sources of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban stormwater runoff. Science of the Total Environment, 359(1), 145–155.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cai, X., McKinney, D. C., & Lasdon, L. S. (2001). Solving nonlinear water management models using a combined genetic algorithm and linear programming approach. Advances in Water Resources, 24(6), 667–676.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campisano, A., Catania, F. V., & Modica, C. (2017). Evaluating the SWMM LID Editor rain barrel option for the estimation of retention potential of rainwater harvesting systems. Urban Water Journal, 14(8), 876–881.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, M. S., Zhen, J. X., & Shoemaker, L. (2009). BMP decision support system for evaluating stormwater management alternatives. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering in China, 3(4), 453–463.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dai, C., Cai, Y. P., Ren, W., Xie, Y. F., & Guo, H. C. (2016). Identification of optimal placements of best management practices through an interval-fuzzy possibilistic programming model. Agricultural Water Management, 165, 108–121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Damodaram, C. and Zechman, E.M. (2010). Optimizing the placement of low impact development in an urban watershed. World Environmental and Water Resources Congress: Challenges of Change, ASCE, Rhode Island, US, May 16–20.

  • Davis, B. S., & Birch, G. F. (2009). Catchment-wide assessment of the cost-effectiveness of stormwater remediation measures in urban areas. Environmental Science & Policy, 12(1), 84–91.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dudula, J., & Randhir, T. O. (2016). Modeling the influence of climate change on watershed systems: adaptation through targeted practices. Journal of Hydrology, 541, 703–713.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghajarnia, N., Bozorg-Haddad, O., & Kouchakzadeh, S. (2012). Multi-objective dynamic design of urban water distribution networks. Iran-Water Resources Research, 7(22), 21–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibb, A. (1975). Pre-investment survey of sewerage needs and facilities in Tehran. Tehran: Ministry of Energy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrell, L. J., & Ranjithan, S. R. (2003). Detention pond design and land use planning for watershed management. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 129(2), 98–106.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karimi-Hosseini, A., Bozorg-Haddad, O., & Mariño, M. A. (2011). Site selection of raingauges using entropy methodologies. Water Management, 164(7), 321–333.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, J. G., Selvakumar, A., Alvi, K., Riverson, J., Zhen, J. X., Shoemaker, L., & Lai, F. H. (2012). A watershed-scale design optimization model for stormwater best management practices. Environmental Modelling & Software, 37, 6–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, H., Sharkey, L. J., Hunt, W. F., & Davis, A. P. (2009). Mitigation of impervious surface hydrology using bioretention in North Carolina and Maryland. Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, 14(4), 407–415.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loáiciga, H. A., Sadeghi, K. M., Shivers, S., & Kharaghani, S. (2015). Stormwater control measures: optimization methods for sizing and selection. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 141(9), 04015006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahab, Q. and Pöyri (2010). Tehran surface water master plan in 2010, Report for Municipality of Tehran, Iran.

  • Montaseri, M., Afshar, M. H., & Bozorg-Haddad, O. (2015). Development of simulation-optimization model (MUSIC-GA) for urban stormwater management. Water Resources Management, 29(13), 4649–4665.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moradi-Jalal, M., Bozorg-Haddad, O., Karney, B. W., & Mariño, M. A. (2007). Reservoir operation in assigning optimal multi-crop irrigation areas. Agricultural Water Management, 90(1), 149–159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peng, Z., & Stovin, V. (2017). Independent validation of the SWMM green roof module. Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, 22(9), 04017037.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rani, D., & Moreira, M. M. (2010). Simulation–optimization modeling: a survey and potential application in reservoir systems operation. Water Resources Management, 24(6), 1107–1138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reichold, L., Zechman, E. M., Brill, E. D., & Holmes, H. (2009). Simulation-optimization framework to support sustainable watershed development by mimicking the predevelopment flow regime. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 136(3), 366–375.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosa, D. J., Clausen, J. C., & Dietz, M. E. (2015). Calibration and verification of SWMM for low impact development. JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 51(3), 746–757.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roseen, R. M., Ballestero, T. P., Houle, J. J., Briggs, J. F., & Houle, K. M. (2011). Water quality and hydrologic performance of a porous asphalt pavement as a storm-water treatment strategy in a cold climate. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 138(1), 81–89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rossman, L. A. (2010). Storm water management model user’s manual, version 5.0. Cincinnati: National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sadeghi, K. M., Loáiciga, H. A., & Kharaghani, S. (2017). Stormwater control measures for runoff and water quality management in urban landscapes. Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 54, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1111/1752-1688.12547.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sebti, A., Fuamba, M., & Bennis, S. (2015). Optimization model for BMP selection and placement in a combined sewer. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 142(3), 04015068.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sebti, A., Carvallo Aceves, M., Bennis, S., & Fuamba, M. (2016). Improving nonlinear optimization algorithms for BMP implementation in a combined sewer system. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 142(9), 04016030.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, G. (2009). Development of a multi-objective optimization framework for implementing low impact development scenarios in an urbanizing watershed. Ph.D. dissertation, Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA.

  • Zhang, G., Hamlett, M.J. and Reed, P., (2006). Multi-objective optimization of low impact development scenarios in an urbanizing watershed. In Proceedings of the AWRA annual conference, Baltimore, Usa, 1–7.

Download references

Funding

This research is financially supported by Iran’s National Science Foundation (INSF).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Irrigation & Reclamation Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering & Technology, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Tehran, 31587-77871, Iran

    Mahdi Bahrami

  2. Department of Irrigation & Reclamation Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering & Technology, College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Tehran, 31587-77871, Iran

    Omid Bozorg-Haddad

  3. Department of Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93016-4060, USA

    Hugo A. Loáiciga

Authors
  1. Mahdi Bahrami
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Omid Bozorg-Haddad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hugo A. Loáiciga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Omid Bozorg-Haddad.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bahrami, M., Bozorg-Haddad, O. & Loáiciga, H.A. Optimizing stormwater low-impact development strategies in an urban watershed considering sensitivity and uncertainty. Environ Monit Assess 191, 340 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-019-7488-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-019-7488-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation