Global optimal real-time control of the Quebec urban drainage system

A global optimal control (GOC) system was implemented in 1999 on the Quebec Urban Community’s (QUC) Westerly sewer network to manage flows and water levels in real-time in order to, among others, reduce the frequency and volumes of combined sewer overflows discharged into the St. Charles River and St. Lawrence River. This paper presents some of the salient results of the first three years of operation. The configuration of the GOC system is discussed and operational observations are made about the reliability of some of the major components. Furthermore, an economical analysis presents how cost-effective the real-time control system is for the QUC.