Pollution-based integrated real-time control for urban drainage systems: a multi-agent deep reinforcement learning approach
Abstract This study presents a multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) framework for integrated real-time control (RTC) of urban drainage systems (UDSs), coordinating sewers, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and receiving waters. Trained within a hydraulic–water quality simulation environment...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Series: | npj Clean Water |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-025-00512-z |
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| Summary: | Abstract This study presents a multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) framework for integrated real-time control (RTC) of urban drainage systems (UDSs), coordinating sewers, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and receiving waters. Trained within a hydraulic–water quality simulation environment using QMIX, the framework enables facility-level decision-making and adaptive system coordination. Applied to Lu’an City, China, MARL achieved a 25.4% reduction in flooding and overflow volumes and an 18.0% decrease in river pollutants relative to benchmark strategies, while maintaining real-time control feasibility (6.35 s per 5-min interval). Under rainfall forecast and sensor noise uncertainty, MARL improved performance stability by 44.7–52.4%. Despite operational trade-offs, the framework supports integrated system optimization and consistent water quality improvements in urban settings. |
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| ISSN: | 2059-7037 |