Steady State Example Using WASP

Introduction

This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to building a steady state Streeter-Phelps simulation using the WASP8 User Interface. This simulation is essential for understanding the dynamics of water quality modeling, particularly in assessing the impact of wastewater discharge on stream systems. By following this guide, you will gain practical insights into using WASP for environmental modeling.

Step 1: Setting Up the WASP8 User Interface

• Open the WASP8 User Interface on your computer.
• Create a new project:
  • Select "File" from the menu.
  • Click on "New Project."
  • Input a project name and choose a location to save your file.

Step 2: Defining the Model Configuration

• Access the model setup options:
  • Click on "Model Setup" in the main menu.
• Input the simulation parameters:
  • Define the time step and total simulation time.
  • Set the initial conditions for water quality variables like dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and others.

Step 3: Inputting Hydrological Data

• Navigate to the "Hydrology" section:
  • Click on the "Hydrology" tab.
• Enter the flow data:
  • Input the flow rates for upstream points.
  • Specify any inflow and outflow locations.

Step 4: Specifying the Streeter-Phelps Parameters

• Go to the "Streeter-Phelps" configuration:
  • Click on the "Water Quality" tab.
• Set the parameters:
  • Enter the values for decay rates, reaeration coefficients, and other relevant parameters as per the Streeter-Phelps equation.

Step 5: Running the Simulation

• Save your project:
  • Click "File" and then "Save."
• Execute the simulation:
  • Click on the "Run" button in the toolbar.
  • Wait for the simulation to complete, which may take a few moments.

Step 6: Analyzing the Results

• Access the output data:
  • Click on the "Results" tab after the simulation finishes.
• Review key metrics:
  • Analyze the concentrations of BOD and dissolved oxygen over time.
  • Use graphs or tables provided by WASP to visualize the results.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you have successfully built a steady state Streeter-Phelps simulation using the WASP8 User Interface. This process helps in understanding water quality impacts from various sources. As a next step, consider experimenting with different parameter values or simulating various scenarios to deepen your knowledge of water quality modeling.