AWWA CSC91057

This authors linked a water distribution network modeling program and a geographic information system (GIS) to allow data transfer between the two systems. The methodology was developed during the course of a GIS implementation project for the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). Implementation involved seven steps: building a map of the distribution system in the GIS; adding intelligence to the GIS file; writing a menu-driven program within the GIS that will write out the descriptive files as input to the network model; building a model (within the network modeling program) of the water distribution network based on the GIS-generated information; performing the hydraulic simulations within the network model; writing an output file that contains predicted values from the network model; and adding intelligence to the existing GIS database. Advantages of using this methodology are explained. The MWRA is now able to analyze sophisticated predicted water flows and demands provided by the distribution system model, in relation to the extensive environmental and socioeconomic data contained in the GIS database and to take advantage of the powerful analytical capabilities of the GIS.