Monitoring data to explore particle size distribution and elemental composition in a stormwater outlet from a German urban catchment

High-resolution data and continuous monitoring of water quality parameters enable a more accurate characterisation of stormwater pollutants dynamics. This article presents a unique dataset combining real-time online monitoring of turbidity and discharge data with event-based, size-fractionated chemical characterisation of stormwater. Turbidity and discharge were measured with a high temporal resolution at the stormwater outlet of a small urban catchment in Dresden, Germany. Additionally, for selected rainfall-runoff events, the following data were produced: total suspended solids concentrations and their particle-size distribution (<63 µm: fine particles; >63 µm: coarse fraction), elemental composition, and organic content. The online monitoring data covers the period from January 2018 to August 2022, whereas the sampled data were collected from September 2018 to 2021. Turbidity serves as a proxy for particles, organic, and elemental composition of stormwater. Therefore, our dataset is suitable for exploring flush dynamics, particle transport patterns, particle-bound pollutants, as well as for developing and validating particle transport formulations in urban drainage models. This will enable a more effective identification of stormwater treatment and management strategies to address different pollutant flushes, support regulatory decision-making, and minimise the impact of stormwater discharges on receiving water bodies. Hence, intended users of this dataset include, but are not limited to, the urban drainage/urban hydrology/stormwater research community and practitioners, students, decision-makers, policymakers, urban planners, engineers, and other stakeholders interested in water-related issues at the city or urban catchment scale.