A mechanistic model for estimating bacteria levels in stormwater ponds

•A Hydro-environmental model developed to model fate and transport of bacteria.•Inverness stormwater pond in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, was used to test the model.•Volume of Fluid and sediment transport models improved the simulation of bacteria.•The middle of the pond was found as the optimal location for withdrawal for reuse.•Tree barriers are shown to reduce transport of bacteria toward the optimal location.