Water Quality Modeling of a Hypoxic Stream

Abstract

The WASP/EUTRO model was used to model a low dissolved oxygen (DO) stream in Taiwan as part of the water quality management effort to restore the stream. The low DO is the result of industrial wastewater discharges causing significant oxygen consumption due to carbonaceous and nitrogenous biochemical oxygen demand in the receiving water. The modeling effort was supported by a field monitoring program including two water quality surveys of the stream. The model calibrated with these two data sets, and also used unit response analysis to calculate the DO deficit contributed by individual loads. The calibrated model was used to evaluate wastewater management alternatives to restore the stream.