Opti-SITE
Climate change and urbanisation are causing cities to experience heavy rainfall more frequently, leading to flooding, sewer overflows, and discharges of untreated wastewater. At the same time, increasing attention is being paid to stormwater quality, pollution, and their impacts on receiving waters, while water and wastewater utilities face stricter regulatory requirements.
Replacing or significantly expanding existing drainage and sewer systems is often not feasible due to high costs and limited land availability. As a result, utilities need to optimise existing systems and implement complementary measures, such as nature-based solutions.
However, it remains challenging to determine where such measures will have the greatest impact and where they should be located. Opti-SITE is therefore developing decision-support tools capable of analysing large volumes of data and evaluating different infrastructure scenarios based on factors such as cost, performance, and environmental impact.
AI, radar data and nature-based solutions
Opti-SITE brings together water utilities, universities and technology providers from Sweden and Denmark. The project combines artificial intelligence (AI), optimisation methods and high-resolution radar data to identify where nature-based solutions, such as rain gardens, ponds and stormwater retention basins, can deliver the greatest benefits.
From reactive to proactive management
The project is also developing solutions for short-term forecasting and early warning of sewer overflows. By combining real-time weather radar data with fast-running sewer system models, utilities can predict when and where critical situations are likely to arise.
This makes it possible to take preventive action before flooding or overflows occur, for example by adjusting system operations, protecting vulnerable areas, or reducing environmental impacts before discharges take place.
The methods are being developed and tested in collaboration with the utilities NSVA and HOFOR in Landskrona and Copenhagen. By working with real-world conditions, the project ensures that the results are relevant and practical for operational use.
Maximising stormwater management
Opti-SITE will provide the water sector with improved capabilities to plan, prioritise and manage stormwater measures according to site-specific conditions and scale, helping to maximise stormwater management while minimising adaptation costs.
The project’s results will be integrated into DHI’s digital platform, CityFlow Live, providing utilities, consultants and decision-makers with access to advanced tools for reducing flood risks, limiting discharges of untreated wastewater, and strengthening climate resilience across society.
The project is funded by Interreg Öresund-Kattegat-Skagerrak.
