Spatio-temporal optimization of the operation of real-time controlled rainwater harvesting systems to improve streamflow regimes

Abstract

Rainwater tanks have been a common technology for water supply, offering benefits beyond just storage by supporting water reuse, flood mitigation, and the protection of receiving water environments. Recent advances in real-time technology open up the opportunity to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of rainwater harvesting by releasing the saved water in the tanks at a controlled rate to drainage networks and receiving waters. The integration of forecasting and optimization techniques within this real-time technology can support more informed operational decisions tailored to given environmental contexts, such as delivering a more natural flow regime. This paper develops a spatio-temp..