Conference Agenda

Urban runoff is recognized major transport vector of pollutants, and therefore, a significant contributor to the deterioration of receiving waterbodies. Effective implementation of stormwater modelling and management requires sufficient knowledge of the quantity, quality, and temporal distribution of stormwater discharges. This study monitors stormwater pollutants exported from a defined watershed. Data of the contributing watershed was analysed, and an advanced remote-controlled automatic water monitoring system was developed and established. Preliminary results showed a good detection of water in the drainage pipe after rain event. Additionally, water was found to be present in the pipe during the dry season. Lab measurements identified human chemical markers (carbamazepine, caffeine and paracetamol), which may imply on sanitary wastewater contamination in stormwater runoff.

The study attempts to better understand the effect of many parameters on contamination of stormwater released to the sea, and consequently aid in assessing the risks to coastal marine environment and human health. Investigating factors that affect stormwater quality and developing forecasting models for such phenomena will enable the development of a runoff management policy, and to predict the impact that future rain events will have on quality and quantity of drainage water released to the Mediterranean Sea, the receiving water body.