Development and Application of a Regional Model of NY/NJ Harbor For the Protection of

Beaches and Shellfish Areas

Charles DujardinCharles Dujardin

HydroQual, Inc.HydroQual, Inc.

September, 2008September, 2008

Regional Model Development Overview

Planned and Unplanned Sewage Discharges Causes Planned and Unplanned Sewage Discharges Causes Regional ConcernRegional Concern

Lack of Tri-State Communication is EvidentLack of Tri-State Communication is Evident

Lack of Predictive Tool is EvidentLack of Predictive Tool is EvidentImpact on beaches and shellfish areasImpact on beaches and shellfish areas

Regional Bypass Workgroup is FormedRegional Bypass Workgroup is FormedEstablish Communication ProtocolEstablish Communication Protocol

Develop Predictive Tool to Assess Conditions Develop Predictive Tool to Assess Conditions

Regional Events of Concern

Pipeline Leak and Pump Station Bypass near City IslandPipeline Leak and Pump Station Bypass near City IslandPrecautionary Closures at Orchard BeachPrecautionary Closures at Orchard Beach

Westchester County Closes BeachesWestchester County Closes BeachesConnecticut Closes BeachesConnecticut Closes Beaches

Regional Bypass WorkgroupParticipants

Wastewater AdministrationWastewater AdministrationNYS DECNYS DEC

NJ DEPNJ DEP

CT DEPCT DEP

IECIEC

EPAEPA

NYC DEPNYC DEP

USCGUSCG

ConsultantConsultantHydroQual, Inc.HydroQual, Inc.

Shellfish & HealthShellfish & HealthNYS DECNYS DEC

NYS DOHNYS DOH

NJ DEPNJ DEP

FDAFDA

NYC DOHNYC DOH

Nassau Co HDNassau Co HD

Westchester Co HDWestchester Co HD

Rockland Co HDRockland Co HD

Suffolk Co HDSuffolk Co HD

NPSNPS

Model Development Considerations

Parameters of ConcernParameters of ConcernTotal/Fecal ColiformTotal/Fecal Coliform

EnterococciEnterococci

Water-bodies ConsideredWater-bodies ConsideredNY-NJ HarborNY-NJ Harbor

Long Island SoundLong Island Sound

Atlantic Ocean (NJ Coast)Atlantic Ocean (NJ Coast)

Input VariablesInput VariablesDuration , Quantity & Quality of DischargeDuration , Quantity & Quality of Discharge

TemperatureTemperature

Regional Bypass Program

Discharge Characterization SpecificationsDischarge Characterization SpecificationsSelect Discharge LocationSelect Discharge Location

Volume Rate (MGD)Volume Rate (MGD)

ConcentrationConcentration

View ResultsView ResultsSelect Site LocationSelect Site Location

View Temporal ProfileView Temporal Profile

View AnimationsView Animations

Initial Pathogen Discharge Model is Developed

Limitations of Initial Model (1998)Limitations of Initial Model (1998)Limited number if discharge locationsLimited number if discharge locations

Limited number of viewing locationsLimited number of viewing locations

Could not handle multiple dischargesCould not handle multiple discharges

Time of discharge within tidal-cycle is approximatedTime of discharge within tidal-cycle is approximated

Model Improved in 2008Model Improved in 2008Computer speed, GIS ApplicationComputer speed, GIS Application

Unlimited number of discharge locationsUnlimited number of discharge locations

Model results may be viewed through animationsModel results may be viewed through animations

Multiple discharges are possibleMultiple discharges are possible

Model Domain

Full Domain NY/NJ Harbor

GIS Information Layers Available (7)Example: Beach Locations

GIS Information Layers Available (7)Example: CSO Locations

Add LoadSpecify: Flow, Duration, Time, and Concentration and Click on Location

Model Execution

After Discharges Are Entered User Clicks “Run Model”After Discharges Are Entered User Clicks “Run Model”

Model Execution Takes About 5 MinutesModel Execution Takes About 5 Minutes

User Immediately Views ResultsUser Immediately Views Results

Time Series in Any Model SegmentTime Series in Any Model Segment

Animation (Movie) of ResultsAnimation (Movie) of Results

User May View Time Series ResultsIn Any Model Segment

View AnimationExample: 6 Hours After Release

View AnimationExample: 12 Hours After Release

View AnimationExample: 25 Hours After Release

View AnimationExample: 44 Hours After Release

User May Zoom-InTo View Details of Results

Summary

Model Has Been Distributed To Over a Dozen State and Model Has Been Distributed To Over a Dozen State and Local Environmental, Health, and Shellfish AgenciesLocal Environmental, Health, and Shellfish Agencies

There Are Nearly 100 Spill Events Per YearThere Are Nearly 100 Spill Events Per Year

Agencies Can Quickly Assess If There Is a Concern After a Agencies Can Quickly Assess If There Is a Concern After a Spill Event Spill Event