River water quality simulation and analysis

 Prediction of the impact of discharges and the self-purification capacity of the river

Discharges of polluted water from sewage treatment plants and relief from drainage and sanitation networks, together with diffuse pollution from agricultural, livestock and industrial activities, alter the quality of the water in our rivers. The impact of these polluting discharges on the water quality of the rivers is a function of the discharged load (flow and concentration) and the self-purification capacity of the receiving river itself. Therefore, in addition to limiting the pollutant load of discharges, the Water Framework Directive seeks to guarantee the quality of water in receiving media.

 Customized solutions

The Water and Waste Group has computational tools and methodology to dynamically simulate the physical-chemical quality of water in rivers in the face of different environmental conditions and polluting discharges. To do this, it performs mathematical models tailored to the specific needs of each study, integrating point discharges (treatment plants, reliefs) and diffuse discharges (runoff) with the hydraulic and quality model of the analysed river section.

The river quality models, based on the IWA's RWQM1 (River Quality Model No. 1), are compatible with the mathematical models of the WWTP (Wastewater Treatment Plants), facilitating the integrated simulation of basins and sub-basins. They dynamically predict the biodegradation of organic matter and nutrients, as well as the concentration of algae and the risk of eutrophication.

 Knowledge and experience

The Water and Waste Group accumulates more than 30 years of experience in mathematical modelling and simulation of biological and physical-chemical processes.

During this time, he has carried out numerous projects and studies to simulate the quality of water in rivers (Urola, Ebro, Manzanares, Jarama, Tajo, Arros, etc.), as well as computer applications tailored to the needs of users.