3D Eutrophication Modeling of Hamilton Harbour: Analysis of Remedial Options

The Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP) was employed to create a threedimensional eutrophication model for Hamilton Harbour. Calibration of the model was performed using 1991 field data. Four remedial options, namely improvements to the waste water treatment plants (WWTPs), the combined sewer overflows (CSOs), industrial discharges, and removal of WWTP, CSO, and industrial discharges were examined. The model simulated well the response of the harbor under various loading conditions. Improvements in the harbor's water quality were found to range from minor in the case of CSO improvements to significant in the case of WWTP improvements. Specifically, the chlorophyll a, total phosphorus, and ammonia nitrogen concentrations were reduced by as much as 2% in the case of CSO improvements, between 4 and 14% for the industrial loading improvements, and between 24 and 50% for the WWTP improvements case.