AWWA INF52154

Hydraulic modeling for water networks is now considered to be necessary for the management of distribution systems worldwide. Advances in technology have greatly increased the functionality of modeling software. Packages are now Windows based, can handle larger networks, and can process hydraulic calculations in significantly reduced times. Links between modeling packages and geographic information systems (GIS) are becoming commonplace, and links with telemetry are growing. The increased size and speed of modeling software has raised the expectations of client users who now require all-mains modeling of their networks. This increases the amount of data needed to populate the models and raises the possibility of inaccuracies entering the system, especially where data is manually digitized into the model and demands are allocated to nodes through observation. Despite, or perhaps because of, the advances in technology, there is a very real danger that the costs of hydraulic modeling will increase and the risk of inaccuracy will grow. Also, advances in traditional modeling techniques have done nothing to solve the problems of controlling, maintaining and updating the models once they have been built and the limited set of users to whom they are available. However, Vivendi Water (United Kingdom (UK)) and Wallingford Software are developing ways to bring the overall cost of hydraulic modeling down and to increase the sense of ownership of the models across the business, spreading the cost through either direct contribution or indirect benefit. This paper sets out the methods by which costs of hydraulic models can be reduced while still increasing their value for the overall benefit of the user. The paper draws on experiences of the authors in promoting hydraulic modeling to achieve business objectives while maintaining control of costs and output. This paper describes the water distribution activities of Vivendi Water (UK), and its requirements for hydraulic modeling. Wallingford Software's role in hydraulic modeling is outlined briefly. This is followed by an analysis of the costs of the components of capital works and the modeling component in particular. As a point of reference, the way in which modeling is done traditionally in the UK is explained. The way that Vivendi Water (UK) and Wallingford Software are automating the model building and maintenance process is described. It is proposed that the potential benefits of automation can only be achieved with tight model management in place, which is explained. Includes table, figure.