Hydraulic modelling of sewage exfiltration

Abstract

Exfiltration of waste water in sewer networks represents a potential danger for the soil and the aquifer. Various modelling approaches have been proposed to quantify sewerage exfiltration and its spatial and temporal variation. Common models are based on the law of Darcy, extended by a more or less detailed consideration of the expansion of leaks, the characteristics of the soil and the colmation layer, in the paper investigations are introduced, which are focused on the actual water content of the soil and its influence on exfiltration rates. Modelling results with HYDRUS 1D show, that under unsaturated conditions initial exfiltration rates are increased compared to saturated conditions. In experiments it was found, that the matrix potential increases the tightness of the colmation layer. Further a colmation model was deduced, which allows the calculation of the thickness and conductivity of the colmation layer. © IWA Publishing 2009.