Evaluation of methods for estimating stormwater pollutant loads

Abstract

This paper investigates a number of methods that can be used to generate constituent concentrations for use in stormwater modeling. These include the use of event mean concentrations (EMCs) and pollutant buildup and washoff formulations. Suspended solids data collected in the Austin, Texas, area from single‐land‐use watersheds were used to evaluate the usefulness of these methods. Use of a single EMC for all urban land uses was shown to provide a reasonable estimate of solids loads. This suggests that increases in total suspended solids loads resulting from development will be primarily a function of the increase in runoff volume, which in turn may be related to increased impervious cover. Water quality data did not indicate a strong correlation between initial pollutant load on the watershed and length of the antecedent dry period; however, the concentration of suspended solids in stormwater runoff does follow a simple washoff model.