Simulation-Optimization Model Development Using BMPs to Manage Urban Runoff

In this article, the amount of pollutants and water discharge in Firouzabadi drainage channel were estimated to be able to simulate the existing and future quality and quantity of the channel, using EPA Storm Water Management Modeling (SWMM). In addition, several best management practices (BMPs) such as; swales and porous pavements were utilized. The goal of using such techniques were to reduce runoff peak flow and non-point source pollution through evaporation, filtration, and chemical or biological treatments. It is obvious that non of above techniques alone, could not improve the runoff quality effectively. It sounds wise to combine two or more techniques together to reach the optimum efficiency in controlling the amount of runoff. In this research, two main models were used: rainfall-runoff model and optimization model. SWMM was applied to simulate quality and quantity of runoff. Nevertheless, Multi Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO) was used to optimize the BMPs layouts so that the peak flow will be minimized effectively. The results show that in additon to improve the quality of runoff, BMPs can reduce the peak discharge flow between 8 to 15 percent for 5-year return period.