HyEco-R: Integrated Hydrodynamic & Water Quality Simulations for Flood-Prone Urban Metropolis

This study presents an integrated modeling approach, utilizing the HyEco-R framework, to understand the transport and fate of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and to assess associated human health risks in Delhi, the national capital territory of India. Hydrodynamic simulations, performed using a 3-way coupled hydrodynamic model in MIKE+, provided essential insights into flow dynamics. These were coupled with a water quality model, developed in MIKE+ ECO Lab, to simulate E. coli concentrations under varying environmental conditions. The model outputs reveal critical hotspots and periods of elevated E. coli levels, highlighting the influence of contaminated urban floodwaters on bacterial transport. Subsequently, the simulated E. coli concentrations were used to develop human health risk maps, identifying areas and populations vulnerable to waterborne pathogen exposure. The findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of microbial contamination pathways and provide valuable insights for targeted water resource management strategies to mitigate public health risks.