A preliminary modelling approach for Escherichia coli removal in stormwater biofilters

Abstract

To reduce the risks imposed by faecal microorganisms contained in stormwater, biofilters have been developed for the microbial treatment. To better understand the mechanisms of faecal microbial removal in biofilters, and to optimize the operation of biofilters based on the predictions of long-term removal effects, modelling is an effective tool. In this study, a comprehensive model, which could represent the microbial transport and fate throughout the biofilters and includes the major processes and operational factors, is developed. The model was calibrated with the measured data of Escherichia coli (E.coli) removal that obtained in 8-month laboratory experiments. Generally high Nash Sutcliffe Efficiencies (>0.60) indicate that the calibrated model is in good agreement with measured data. Also, the optimized parameter values are comparable with values reported in the literature and obtained from lab work.