Thursday, August 14, 2014

Questions after a Main Break | Webinar on Smart Asset Planning




Questions after a Main Break | Webinar on Smart Asset Planning

Water main breaks are prevalent in all cities.  As engineers and planners, we do everything we can to avoid them and mitigate damages when they occur.  Communicating those plans and educating the general public is another story.  Having a clearly defined and defensible rehabilitation plan is the foundation for better education of stakeholders.  They want to know:

Why did this water main fail?  What was the likelihood of this water main to fail?  Was there an assessment (financial, environment, and social) on this pipe failing?  Was this pipeline planned to be repaired/upgraded in the near future?

Take a look at a sampling of news stories in the last week regarding main breaks.  Is your utility prepared?



Join Innovyze for a free webinar on Wednesday, September 17th, 2014 for a technology update for risk-driven asset planning solutions, and will discuss how utilities are utilizing these toolsets to better manage risk of failure and maximize the value of aging assets.

People who attend this webinar will be able to understand the following items regarding proactive asset planning practices (featuring InfoMaster*):
1.        More accurately estimate lifetimes (remaining useful life) of pipes and failure potential
2.        Systematically assess consequences of pipeline failures
3.        Methods for proper budgeting including targeted approach to rehabilitation, repair and renewal planning.

Click here to reserve your spot.  Spaces are limited. 

Should you want to view a presentation sooner or talk to an Innovyze representative, please
click here.

Please forward this invitation to your colleagues who may be interested in attending.  Thanks.


About Innovyze
Innovyze is a leading global provider of wet infrastructure business analytics software solutions designed to meet the technological needs of water and wastewater utilities, government industries, and engineering organizations worldwide. Its clients include the majority of the largest UK, Australasia and North American cities, foremost utilities on all five continents, and ENR top-rated design firms. With unparalleled expertise and offices in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific, the Innovyze connected portfolio of best-in-class product lines empowers thousands of engineers to competitively plan, manage, design, protect, operate and sustain highly efficient and reliable infrastructure systems, and provides an enduring platform for customer success. For more information, call Innovyze at +1 626-568-6868, or visit www.innovyze.com.

Monday, August 4, 2014

Oscillations in SWMM 5 and InfoSWMM

I made this example to show how oscillations occur for legitimate reasons and the best ways to test the oscillations in InfoSWMM and SWMM 5:

Oscillations due to downstream obstructions, downstream mixed solutions and downstream boundary conditions:
In this case the oscillation in some links is due to the culvert comparison which limits the flow based on the inlet equation.  You can see the flow changes if you turn on show control actions in the run manager.  The program will then show the changes in the HTML report file.  The flow oscillation is due to the water being stored at the upstream node of the culvert followed by the excess flow going into the culvert.  

How to check  the validity of the solution:  Use a Map Display of the Link Result Variable Link Volume.  If you do a map display of the link total volume you will see that the total volume passing through each link is in balance.  You were using a 30 minute report time step, you can see and understand the oscillations better if you use a 1 minute report step.   In the culverts even though the flow in the culvert oscillates the mean flow is being passed downstream – that is why the downstream flows are constant.  I am trying a different way of modeling the steady state flow = this model does not have a continuity error but since the inflow to the culvert is oscillating between two solutions you are getting an uncertain flow.
Figure 1 Control Actions
Figure 2 Mass Balance




Saturday, July 26, 2014

SWMM5 Table by Object Shows a Tabular view of the Important Results Varables

"Unleash the full potential of SWMM 5's data with the Table by Object Output Tool 🚀. Imagine effortlessly tracking how groundwater levels, infiltration rates, and surface runoff 🌧️🌿 fluctuate in tandem with rainfall events, all in a single, comprehensive view. With this tool, you can:

👀 Visualize Complex Data - Get a holistic perspective by observing multiple variables align with weather patterns over time.

🔁 Seamless Data Transfer - Need to delve deeper into the numbers? Simply copy and paste the results directly into Excel for further analysis and reporting.

Whether you're fine-tuning your model or presenting your findings, the Table by Object Output Tool is your gateway to efficient and effective data management for SWMM 5. Ready, set, analyze! 💧📊🔍"


SWMM 5 Table Tool

SWMM 5 Table Tool Output
                     2 Rainfall         Total Losses     Runoff           GW Flow          GW Elev.         Evap             Depth           
Days       Hours      (mm/hr)          (mm/hr)          (LPS)            (LPS)            (m)              (mm/hr)          (mm)            
0 0:05:00 0 0 0 43.93 9.99 0 0
0 0:10:00 0 0 0 43.87 9.98 0 0
0 0:15:00 0 0 0 43.8 9.97 0 0
0 0:20:00 0 0 0 43.73 9.97 0 0
0 0:25:00 0 0 0 43.67 9.96 0 0
0 0:30:00 0 0 0 43.6 9.95 0 0
0 0:35:00 0 0 0 43.54 9.95 0 0
0 0:40:00 0 0 0 43.47 9.94 0 0
0 0:45:00 0 0 0 43.41 9.93 0 0
0 0:50:00 0 0 0 43.34 9.93 0 0
0 0:55:00 0 0 0 43.28 9.92 0 0
0 1:00:00 0 0 0 43.21 9.91 0 0
0 1:05:00 0 0 0 43.15 9.91 0 0
0 1:10:00 0 0 0 43.08 9.9 0 0

Sunday, July 6, 2014

How to Search A Twitter Account

A Top Ten List of Advantages of InfoSWMM over SWMM 5 (IMO)

Introduction:  I have been working on the various versions of SWMM since 1980 when I was a co-author and co-developer of SWMM3, a co-author and co-developer of SWMM4 in 1988 and a co-developer of SWMM 5 from 2002/2006.   I have worked at Innovyze as a Product Sector Leader since 2008 and have grown to love the power and ability of InfoSWMM and all Innovyze software such as InfoWater, ICM, H2OMap SWMM and InfoSewer.  This blog post explains based on my experience why  InfoSWMM makes you a better modeler or modeller for the SWMM 5 engine rather than just directly using the SWMM 5 engine and GUI available from the USEPA.  I am still an almost daily user of SWMM 5 so I have a constant comparison between the ability of the InfoSWMM Modeling Platform over the SWMM 5 GUI. 

First a  brief Introduction to InfoSWMM or a reminder of the history of InfoSWMM: InfoSWMM for ArcGIS (Esri, Redlands, CA). InfoSWMM  enables engineers to work more efficiently and reliably with very large and complex network models, thanks to improvements in such areas as built-in 64-bit simulation, enhanced water quality modeling, and batch run scenario management using many of the Arc Map tools developed for InfoWater and InfoSewer.. All operations of a typical sewer system — from analysis and design to management functions such as water quality assessment, pollution prediction, sediment transport and deposition, urban flooding, real-time control, and record keeping — are addressed in a single, fully integrated geoengineering environment. The program’s powerful hydraulic and water quality computational engine is based on the current SWMM 5 version, which is endorsed by the USEPA and certified by FEMA.  You can also get almost 24/7 support for InfoSWMM from Innovyze by emailing us at support@innovyze.com 

My Top Ten Reasons for preferring InfoSWMM over SWMM 5 based on my experience

These are the top ten expanded reasons I have found over the last ten years for using InfoSWMM over the SWMM 5 GUI. I will start at the beginning that all of these fantastic features in InfoSWMM are due to our wonderful programmers in Monrovia (CA), Broomfield, Denver(CO) and Wallingford (UK).

  1. Scenario, Database, and Facility Managers: InfoSWMM allows you to create and manage present and future scenarios. Its facility manager function facilitates the activation and deactivation of network sections, the creation of smaller networks, and selective network simulation for calibration or design purposes.
  2. Domain and Selection Sets: InfoSWMM's Domain and Selection Sets are handy tools for editing and creating graphic outputs.
  3. Extraction and Data Tools: With InfoSWMM, users have access to over 200 tools for Elevation Extraction, Pond Extraction, Data Inference, Data Connectivity, and more. These tools, based on proven technology and creativity, were developed during the past 22 years of InfoWater development at Innovyze.
  4. Arc Map Attribute Table Editing and Layer Properties: InfoSWMM integrates with Arc Map to provide attribute table editing, layer properties customization, and the use of Python scripts in ArcTool Box. Users can also use Arc Map editing tools to alter, edit, or expand their modeling network.
  5. Network Element and Output File Database Editing: InfoSWMM enables database editing of network elements and output files in the Attribute Browser, DB Tables, or the Output Report Manager Tables and Graphs.
  6. Output Graphs and Map Displays: InfoSWMM comes with various output graphs and map displays, alongside editable DB tables of the SWMM5 engine reports for Subcatchments, Links, Nodes, LID Units for all scenarios, and calibration graphs.
  7. Output Relates, Data Base Queries, and Output Statistical Tables: InfoSWMM provides Output Relates, Database Queries, and Output Statistical Tables for up to 500 Network Elements for Continuous Simulations.
  8. InfoSWMM Add-ons: InfoSWMM has various add-ons, including InfoSWMM 2D, InfoSWMM SFEM, InfoSWMM CapPlan, InfoSWMM connection to SWMMLive, and InfoSWMM connection to InfoMaster for CAP Planning.
  9. Genetic Algorithm Suite Addons: These add-ons are designed for Calibration parameter estimation for different elements such as surface hydrology, subsurface hydrology, infiltration, pumps, wet wells, links, and the RTK parameters in RDII hydrology.
  10. Suite Addons for Watershed Generation, Dry Weather Flow Estimation, and Other Functions: There are other Suite Addons that are designed for functions like Watershed Generation, Dry Weather Flow Estimation, Conduit Storage Synthesis, Pond Design Manager, Risk Assessment Manager, Google Earth Net View, InfoSWMM 2D, InfoSWMM Sustain for Green Infrastructure Optimization and Capacity Planning.

In conclusion, InfoSWMM offers many data exchange tools such as ODBC, GIS Gateway, Import, and Export Manager, along with excellent SWMM 5 import and InfoSewer direct import capabilities. It supports importing and exporting from and to various formats like XLS, CSV, Shapefiles, GeoDatabases, and more. It can also import and export models from other products like InfoSewer, InfoMaster Sewer, and InfoWorks_ICM using SWMM5 files, CSV, GeoDatabases, or Shapefiles. All these make InfoSWMM a superior choice over the SWMM 5 GUI.


Introduction: 📘 Ever since 1980, my journey with SWMM has been a thrilling ride 🎢. From co-authoring and co-developing SWMM3, SWMM4 in 1988, to being a part of the SWMM 5 development in the early 2000s, it's been a fulfilling experience. 🌟 Since 2008, my role as a Product Sector Leader at Innovyze has deepened my admiration for powerful tools like InfoSWMM, InfoWater, ICM, H2OMap SWMM, and InfoSewer. 🖥️ This post is a tribute to InfoSWMM's unparalleled capabilities and why it is superior to just using the SWMM 5 engine and GUI from the USEPA. 🚀

Historical Glimpse of InfoSWMM 🕰️: InfoSWMM, integrated with ArcGIS (Esri, Redlands, CA), is a game-changer. 💡 It's a beacon for engineers, offering seamless management of gigantic network models with features like 64-bit simulation, enhanced water quality modeling, and batch run scenario management. 🌍 The platform addresses every operational aspect of a sewer system, from design to analysis, in one integrated environment. Its computational engine, built on the foundation of the current SWMM 5 version, is endorsed by the USEPA and certified by FEMA. ✅

Top Ten Reasons for Preferring InfoSWMM over SWMM 5 🏆:

  1. Scenario, Database, and Facility Managers 📂: InfoSWMM's robust framework allows the creation and management of various scenarios. It simplifies tasks like activating/deactivating network sections and even selective simulations.

  2. Domain and Selection Sets 🎯: This feature makes editing and graphic output creation a breeze.

  3. Extraction and Data Tools 🔧: Over 200 tools, including Elevation Extraction, Data Connectivity, and more, make InfoSWMM incredibly versatile.

  4. Integration with Arc Map 🗺️: Attribute table editing, layer properties customization, and the ability to use Python scripts set InfoSWMM apart.

  5. Network Editing Abilities 🛠️: From network elements to output files, InfoSWMM offers comprehensive database editing capabilities.

  6. Output Visualization 📊: InfoSWMM boasts a variety of output graphs, map displays, and editable DB tables to make sense of complex data.

  7. Advanced Analysis Tools 🔍: Output Relates, Database Queries, and Statistical Tables are just the tip of the iceberg.

  8. InfoSWMM Add-ons 🧩: Whether it's InfoSWMM 2D, InfoSWMM SFEM, or the InfoSWMM connection to InfoMaster for CAP Planning, the range of add-ons is vast.

  9. Genetic Algorithm Suite Addons 🧬: Calibration parameter estimation for various elements becomes effortless with these.

  10. Miscellaneous Suite Addons 📦: From Watershed Generation to Green Infrastructure Optimization, these addons cover a broad spectrum.

Conclusion 🌠: InfoSWMM stands out with its plethora of data exchange tools, impeccable import/export capabilities, and compatibility with various formats and products. It's not just about modeling; it's about modeling right. And that's why InfoSWMM is a league above the SWMM 5 GUI. 🚀🌐



GitHub code and Markdown (MD) files Leveraging

 To better achieve your goal of leveraging your GitHub code and Markdown (MD) files for your WordPress blog or LinkedIn articles, consider t...