| Title: | Assessment of nitrogen inputs into Hunt River by onsite wastewater treatment system via SWAT simulation |
| Authors: | Paul, S., M.A. Cashman, K. Szura and S.M. Pradhanang |
| Year: | 2017 |
| Journal: | Water |
| Volume (Issue): | 9(8) |
| Pages: | |
| Article ID: | 610 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/w9080610 |
| URL (non-DOI journals): | |
| Model: | SWAT |
| Broad Application Category: | hydrologic and pollutant |
| Primary Application Category: | on-site and/or municipal wastewater systems |
| Secondary Application Category: | nitrogen cycling/loss and transport |
| Watershed Description: | 59.9 km^2 Hunt River, located in central Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Calibration Summary: | |
| Validation Summary: | |
| General Comments: | |
| Abstract: | Nonpoint source nitrogen pollution is difficult to effectively model in groundwater systems.
This study aims to elucidate anthropogenic nonpoint source pollution discharging into Potowomut
Pond and ultimately Narragansett Bay. Hydrologic modeling with Soil and Water Assessment
Tool (SWAT) and SWAT Calibration and Uncertainty Program (SWAT-CUP) was used to simulate
streamflow and nitrogen levels in the Hunt River with and without onsite wastewater treatment
systems (OWTS). The objective of this study was to determine how input of OWTS data impacts
nitrogen loading into the Hunt River Watershed in Rhode Island, USA. The model was simulated
from 2006 to 2014, calibrated from 2007 to 2011 and validated from 2012 to 2014. Observed streamflow
data was sourced from a US Geological Survey gauge and nitrogen loading data from University
of Rhode Island Watershed Watch (URIWW). From the results, adding OWTS data to the SWAT
simulation produced a better calibration and validation fit for total fit (Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency
(NSE) = 0.50 calibration, 0.78 validation) when compared with SWAT simulation without OWTS data
(NSE = -1.3 calibration, -6.95) validation. |
| Language: | English |
| Keywords: | nitrogen; SWAT; OWTS; waste water; septic; watershed |