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Separation of particulate matter (PM) is the most important process to achieve a reduction of contaminants present in road runoff. To further improve knowledge about influencing factors on the settling of road-deposited sediment (RDS), samples from three sites were collected. Since particle size distribution (PSD) has the strongest effect on settling, the samples were sieved to achieve comparable PSDs so that the effects of particle density, shape, fluid temperature, and deicing salt concentration on settling could be assessed using settling experiments. Based on the experimental data, a previously proposed model that describes the settling of PM was further developed and validated. In addition, RDS samples were compared to a standard mineral material, which is currently in use to evaluate treatment efficiency of stormwater quality improvement devices. The main finding was that besides PSD, particle density is the most important influencing factor. Particle shape was thoroughly described but showed no significant improvement of the prediction of the settled mass. Temperature showed an effect on PM settling, deicing salts were negligible. The proposed models can sufficiently predict the settling of RDS in settling column experiments under varying boundary conditions and are easily applicable.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the development and application of technical decentralized filter systems for the treatment of runoff from traffic areas. However, there are still many uncertainties regarding the service life and the performance of filter materials that are employed in decentralized treatment systems. These filter media are designed to prevent the transport of pollutants into the environment. A novel pilot-scale test method was developed to determine - within a few days - the service lives and long-term removal efficiencies for dissolved heavy metals in stormwater treatment systems. The proposed method consists of several steps including preloading the filter media in a pilot-scale model with copper and zinc by a load of n-1 years of the estimated service life (n). Subsequently, three representative rain events are simulated to evaluate the long-term performance by dissolved copper and zinc during the last year of application. The presented results, which verified the applicability of this method, were obtained for three filter channel systems and six filter shaft systems. The performance of the evaluated systems varied largely for both tested heavy metals and during all three simulated rain events. A validation of the pilot-scale assessment method with field measurements was also performed for two systems. Findings of this study suggest that this novel method does provide a standardized and accurate estimation of service intervals of decentralized treatment systems employing various filter materials. The method also provides regulatory authorities, designers, and operators with an objective basis for performance assessment and supports stormwater managers to make decisions for the installation of such decentralized treatment systems.

Sediments deposited on road surfaces are contaminated with pollutants; the load of pollution increases from coarse to fine particles. When it rains, different fractions of the road-deposited sediments are washed off depending on the rain intensity, the slope of the catchment, and other site-specific factors. This road runoff is often treated using settling processes implemented in different types of manufactured treatment devices. These devices can be tested with well-defined artificial test materials to determine the removal efficiencies of particulate matter in a reproducible manner. However, the suitability of the currently deployed artificial test materials to represent the settling behavior of real runoff particle collectives is largely unknown. In this study, a laboratory method to measure and compare the settling behavior of artificial and real particle collectives with a reproducible particle size composition was developed. The particle collectives were obtained from different road surfaces, fractionated into sieve classes, and then recomposed into a defined particle size distribution that represented the road runoff. The settling velocity was analyzed in a modified settling column setup under constant conditions. The resulting data form a cumulative curve of the settling velocities for both artificial and real particle collectives. The main result from this work is that the tested artificial material and the recomposed real particle collectives have comparable settling behaviors despite different losses on ignition and densities.

The stormwater runoff and infiltration performance of permeable pavements has been systematically evaluated within an intensive monitoring program. The primary objective of the investigation was to generate a broad database, which enables the development of an advanced simulation module for urban drainage modelling. Over 160 field and lab scale experiments have been completed and analyzed for surface runoff and infiltration characteristics. The test series include several pavement types under various boundary conditions such as diverse precipitation impacts, varying surface slope and layer construction as well as different stages of surface clogging and several base and subgrade layer characteristics. The results represent a reliable and comprehensive database that allows profound conclusions and substantial recommendations.

A dataset of 294 monitored sites from six continents (Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America) was compiled and evaluated to characterize the occurrence and fate of heavy metals in eight traffic area categories (parking lots, bridges, and three types each of both roads and highways). In addition, site-specific (fixed and climatic) and method-specific (related to sample collection, preparation, and analysis) factors that influence the results of the studies are summarized. These factors should be considered in site descriptions, conducting monitoring programs, and implementing a database for further research. Historical trends for Pb show a sharp decrease during recent decades, and the median total Pb concentrations of the 21st century for North America and Europe are approximately 15 μg/L. No historical trend is detected for Zn. Zn concentrations are very variable in traffic area runoff compared with other heavy metals because of its presence in galvanized structures and crumbs of car tire rubber. Heavy metal runoff concentrations of parking lots differ widely according to their use (e.g., employee, supermarket, rest areas for trucks). Bridge deck runoff can contain high Zn concentrations from safety fences and galvanizing elements. Roads with more than 5000 vehicles per day are often more polluted than highways because of other site-specific factors such as traffic signals. Four relevant heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cd) can occur in the dissolved phase. Knowledge of metal partitioning is important to optimize stormwater treatment strategies and prevent toxic effects to organisms in receiving waters.

This is an investigation into possible changes to quantity and composition of sewage in the combined sewer system and the waste water treatment plant (WWTP) caused by new stormwater management strategies (mainly by disconnecting areas from the sewer system). Various scenarios were developed and the consequences on the water systems were calculated by using the simulation model KOSMO, in a fictional catchment. The results of the combined sewer overflow-calculation show an enormous decrease of the overflow annual load for different parameters (COD, ammonia) by the reduction of impervious surfaces. Thus, the overflow concentrations of some parameters increase dramatically under these conditions, in particular the ammonia concentration might cause critical situations (e.g. sensitive receiving water).

Selected organic pollutants are classified based on an intensive literature survey. Two wastewater parameters (COD and ammonium) and six selected organic pollutants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP), estradiol (E2), ethinylestradiol (EE2), ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and nitrilo triaceticacid (NTA)) are specified. As a result, for the first time representative concentrations in dry weather flow, surface runoff and effluent of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in combined sewer systems (CSS) are stated. The second part of the paper presents a first estimation of main emission out of a combined sewer system and possible receiving water impacts in terms of (1) annual discharged loads calculated by pollution load simulations in a hypothetical catchment and (2) concentrations calculated in combined sewer overflows (CSO) discharges and resulting receiving water concentrations.

Emissions of selected organic substances from a hypothetical combined sewer system are calculated by pollution load simulation. The results are subsequently discussed. First, representative concentrations of chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonium (NH4-N) and eight selected organics (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), isoproturone, Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), ibuprofen, 17-ß-estradiol (E2), 17-a-ethinylestradiol (EE2), ethyl-enediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), nitrilo triaceticacid (NTA)) in dry weather flow, surface runoff and effluent of WWTP in combined sewer systems are stated based on a literature survey. The second part of the paper presents pollution load simulations and first calculations of possible dis-tributions of organics in combined sewer systems for a hypothetical catchment. Different scenarios of annual discharge loads of main emission matrices of the catchment (waste water treatment plant (WWTP) effluent and combined sewer overflow (CSO)) are compared to determine significant dis-charge points. The results of the pollution load simulations show that generally discharges from the WWTP dominate the total emissions of combined sewer systems. Nevertheless, emissions from CSOs are not negligible in some cases (e.g. for estradiol). In summary, the results give first indications about possible strategies to reduce pollutant emissions from combined sewer systems. The paper also formulates recommendations for the selected organic compounds.

Considering different flow components of the urban drainage an enormous variety in quantities of important quality parameters (COD, ammonia, copper and lead) can be observed. This is due to different influence factors which are divided in objectives of the study and in influence factors concerning the investigation methodology and site specific conditions. An important chemical quality parameter in urban drainage is the COD. One advantage is the relatively easy determination which leads to a good data basis and provides a good transferability of data in different flow types. A disadvantage of COD and other sum parameters used in urban drainage monitoring programs is, that it is only to a minor extent possible to formulate statements about ecotoxic potential for receiving waters. Therefore recently alternative to the sum parameters other pollutant parameters have been discussed and are presented in this paper. Beside standard (waste water related) chemical organic parameters new lately discussed organic pollutants are listed and a first evaluation of an environmental potential is given. Groups of substances, like pesticides and nitrophenols, which are often found in surface runoff were taken into account as well as pollutants originating from dry weather flow, e.g. human medicines. Especially in the group of the endocrine disruptors certain substances (e.g. nonylphenol) are already listed in several environmental guidelines and also have a potential of occurrence in different flow types of the urban drainage system.