Long term efficiency analysis of infiltration trenches subjected to clogging

Abstract: In recent years, limitations linked to traditional urban drainage schemes have been pointed out and new approaches were developed introducing more natural methods for retaining and/or disposing of stormwater. Such practices include infiltration and storage tanks in order to reduce the peak flow and retain part of the polluting components. The impact of such practices on stormwater quantity and quality is not easily assessable because of the complexity of physical and chemical processes involved. In such cases, integrated urban drainage models may play a relevant role providing tools for long term analysis. In this study, the effect of the clogging phenomenon has been assessed by means of a simplified conceptual modelling approach developed in previous studies has been employed and different soils as well as different design criteria have been considered. On the basis of a long-term simulation of 6 years rain data, the performance as well as the effectiveness of an infiltration trench measure are assessed. The study confirmed the important role played by the clogging phenomenon on such infiltration structures.