Stormwater runoff can carry contaminants to surface waters, decreasing their quality. This is particularly true in urban areas, where a low infiltration rate allows contaminants from roads, roofs, facades to collect in stormwater runoff. Increasing infiltration is an attractive solution but it must be considered carefully to preclude groundwater contamination.
To investigate the potential for increased infiltration on the EPFL campus, we instrumented the Sorge river that runs along the campus and that receives stormwater. Sensors measuring pH, DO, ORP, temperature, electrical conductivity and water discharge were placed along the river. In addition, autosamplers collecting water samples were deployed and the samples analyzed for organic and inorganic contaminants.
Modeling performed by the Perona team is generating predictions of scenarios for the implementation of interventions to increase infiltration. This project is part of the UrbanTwin project aiming to generate a digital twin of an urban area.
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People: Dan Andersson (scientific assistant)
Collaboration: Paolo Perona (EPFL), David Atienza (EPFL)
Funding: ETH Joint Initiative, Urban Twin