Leveraging Geospatial Data to Solve Storm Sewer Issues

Sharavan Govindan, Thomas M. Walski, Robert Mankowski, Jack Cook, Malcolm Sharkey, Bentley Systems Inc, Watertown, US 06795, 1-800-727-6555, www.bentley.com/haestad Stormwater management systems are critical to urban populations, and the consequences of storm sewer system failures can be catastrophic ranging from damage to property and possessions by flooding, through to the spread of disease and even death. In recent times Indias stormwater management systems have been placed under enormous strain by flooding problems throughout the country, and it is clear that many of these storm sewer systems require dramatic improvement (Times of India, 2005). However the analysis and design of stormwater systems is far from straight forward, and the planning of system improvements is further complicated by the need to prioritize system upgrades to maximize the benefits of capital expenditure. Fortunately, hydraulic models based on geospatial data can be leveraged as a key tool for supporting investment decisions for storm sewer infrastructure. The advancement of strong modeling technologies that marry rich geospatial modeling and thematic mapping environments with proven dynamic wave solvers is expected to dramatically upgrade the scope and value of systems planning and operations modeling efforts. Hydraulic models can be built using a range of geospatial data, some of which may already be available to Indian cities and utilities. Information such as CAD files, GIS files, aerial photography, asset management information, digital elevation models and survey information can all be utilized in the model building process. Then, once the model is built, the system can be analyzed and the resulting information is used to assist with the following practical applications: a) Develop comprehensive system master plans b) Assess the impact of inflow and infiltration on sewer overflows c) Develop sewer overflow remediation programs d) Perform system capacity evaluations e) Optimize lift station and system storage capacities f) Implement real-time control strategies g) Model relief sewers, overflow diversions, and inverted siphons h) Accurately simulate variable-speed pumping and logical controls i) Simulate out-of-service or proposed sewers. This paper aims to investigate in detail the steps involved in leveraging geospatial data to create hydraulic models of sewer systems, and also highlight the benefits that these models can offer those responsible for stormwater management systems. This approach will be developed around the technology embodied in Bentley Systems SewerGEMS, a geospatial-centric modeling solution released at the end of 2004. Geospatial Data Cities and utilities may well have gathered geospatial information in various data formats over the years. The commonly used formats include DXF or DWG drawings, DGN, Shapefiles, geodatabases, coverages, geometric networks, SDE datasets, Excel spreadsheets, ODBC and OLEDB compliant databases, MS Access, MS SQL Server, Oracle Spatial, etc.. In addition to the above data sources, geospatial technology offers the ability to obtain external data sources such as customer billing records, digital elevation models and high quality base maps and extract the data needed avoiding the error-prone manual data entry process. A city or utility that commits to developing a geospatial hydraulic model must consider several driving factors including data quality, hardware resources, software availability, interdepartmental cooperation, modeling/technical leadership, data development, and maintenance.

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To build an effective hydraulic model the Geospatial professional must work closely with the modeler during the process of creating and transforming the Geospatial data so that the model building process can work as seamlessly as possible. For example the Geospatial data may contain more detailed information than is needed for modeling; for example every small service line and lateral. This information is typically not necessary for modeling applications and can be omitted to improve model run time, reduce file size and save cost, so the Geospatial professional should set up the data in such a way that the modeler can easily omit this unnecessary information from the model. Some good practices for creating Geospatial data for later use in a model include a) Snapping pipe ends to other element types b) Standardized element labeling conventions c) Customer service lines in separate features classes from system pipes d) Wet wells, pumps and other system components as separate feature classes. Conversely, the following are some of the possible errors in data that need attention (and may be driven by the capabilities of the numerical solver): Missing attributes, features not properly connected, features digitized backwards, GIS feature type has no model counterpart, GIS identifiers incompatible with the model, GIS contains hydraulically insignificant or short pipe segments. Haestad et al (2004) Other publications have described similar techniques on developing Geospatial information for the water and wastewater industries, including Orne, Hammond, and Cattran (2001), Przybyla (2002), Haestad et al (2004) and Manual of Practice titled Implementing Geographic Information Systems (WEF, 2004). Shamsi (2002) has presented two case studies on the application of GIS technology to sewer systems. Greene, Agbenowoshi, and Loganathan (1999) discuss a program that was used to automatically integrate GIS data a new sewer network design. New opportunities pose new challenges for the smooth integration of the modeling process. Newer objects can be more complex, with more-complicated connectivity, compared to older GIS data types (points, lines, polygons). The data-modeling effort in an object world is more time consuming (Zeiler, 1999) and requires that the hydraulic modeler pay more attention to the process at the design stage when using an object-relational GIS. Papers on modeling (such as Deagle and Ancel, 2002) typically discuss the use of GIS by hydraulic models but few describe the incorporation of model information in the GIS. An exception to this common approach is Indianapolis Water Company (Schatzlein and Dieterlein, 2002), which has a separate section in its GIS for proposed projects. Building a Hydraulic Model from Geospatial Data Sources. Hydraulic analysis of sewer systems requires a great deal of data on hydrology, piping systems, wastewater loading and topography. As discussed earlier, much of this information already exists in the hands of many cities and utilities. The key is to utilize this data without the need to manually reenter it. This requires the hydraulic model to be able to communicate with a wide variety of data sources. Automated model building tools give the user the ability to build complete modeling datasets using shapefiles, coverages, geodatabases, geometric networks, SDE datasets, spreadsheets and databases (Bentley, 2005). The modeler can map the tables and fields contained within the data source(s) to element types and attributes in the Sewer model. For example, storm sewer pipe information may exist in a shapefile containing line features. The shapefile may include fields containing information such as pipe label, pipe material, pipe diameter, pipe levels and roughness information. These fields are all mapped to the appropriate field in the sewer hydraulic analysis model (for example, pipe diameter in the shapefile is mapped to pipe diameter in the model) using automated model building tools. Numeric fields, like
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diameter, also require a unit of measure to be specified (i.e. does the 100 in the shapefile represent inches or millimeters) so that the model can perform the appropriate conversions during analysis. The pipe label is typically the most important field during this process, since there must be a common key between the different features in the source and target files and a label is often the best choice for this common key. However, if necessary, automated model building tools will create a unique key/label field for this purpose. This data mapping process can be repeated for additional data sources and model features, and then automated model building tools are run to create the model topology. The steps taken at the outset will impact how the rest of the process is developed, so the modeler must spend the time to ensure that this process goes as smoothly and efficiently as possible. However, if the Geospatial data is detailed and accurate, and the data mapping complete, then automated model building tools will create a comprehensive sewer network. If not, it is still possible to construct a model, but considerable manual data entry will be required. Loadings. The next step in the creation of the hydraulic model is to add the loadings, which are simply the flows that enter the sewer system. An accurate estimation of the flows entering your sewer system is one of the most important steps towards trusting a model that truly reflects your real world sewer system. For most sewer systems, there are two overall types of loading: 1. dry weather which includes sanitary and industrial flows and dry weather infiltration, and 2. wet weather which comprises rainfall derived infiltration and inflow. Purely stormwater systems should have virtually no dry weather flow while purely sanitary systems should have very little wet weather induced flow. However, most real systems have some combination of both types of flow and any hydraulic analysis model must be able to deal with both. The first step in determining loading would be to first understand the current year dry weather flows and then add the complexities of wet weather and future conditions. Loading data can be obtained manually from customer or flow meter data or automatically using software import tools. Automated model loading tools can take loading information from a variety of GIS based sources such as customer meter data, system flow meter or polygons with known population or land use and assign those flows to elements. Automated model loading tools are oriented to the types of data available to describe dry weather flows while other methods in SewerGEMS are more amenable to wet weather flows (Bentley, 2005). Some of the loading options include a) Water Consumption Data Loading can be leveraged in developed countries where the flow data from each customer meter can be assigned by automatically assigning geocoded customer water consumption data to the nearest manhole in the sewer network, instantly allocating consumption data to the nearest pipe and then specifying how the demand will be split among the bounding manholes, aggregating consumption data for individual service polygons (meter routes or drainage basins) and then assigning the aggregated loading to the associated manhole. b) Flow Monitoring Data Loading where the flow data from the monitors can be assigned by distributing the flow from each monitor equally across all elements in a specified area (polygon), usually a drainage basin or sub-basin, proportionally distributing the flow to elements in a specified area based on the actual service area(s) of the elements involved and distributing the flow based on the population in the service area. c) Land Use Parcel and Census Data Loading which is based on requirements, user-defined rule-of-thumb flows are developed for each type of land use or per capita. LoadBuilder can distribute the loads either equally or proportionally to the elements located within the polygons contained in Land Use and Census Maps.
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Figure 1: Load builder technology allows the user to allocate loads based on flow monitoring, water consumption records, land use polygons, and other GIS sources.

For master planning, users can project future loadings quickly and accurately based on data such as phased land use projections and population projections. This allows modelers to efficiently create multiple loading alternatives by intersecting any combination of future service area layers with different land use and population forecast layers. Wet weather flows that are caused by precipitation should be characterized based on the storm event or by using hydrographs. In addition, flow from stormwater runoff should be computed at the catchment elements based on different characteristics including catchment size, catchment land use, loss method and hydrograph method, coupled with the hyetograph from the storm event of interest. There is no single "correct" method for converting precipitation events into sewer wet weather loadings. Some methods such as the Green-ampt infiltration equation or the SCS runoff method are more appropriate for pervious surfaces, while methods such as the RTK method are best for more urbanized areas. The most general method would consist of a calibrated unit hydrograph for a catchment. Storm sewer hydraulic analysis models can convert rainfall into wet weather sewer flow using any one of a wide variety of methods selected by the user. (Haestad et al. 2004)

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Sewer System Hydraulic Model Analysis. Storm Sewer system models calculate flow, velocities, depths, and hydraulic grade line in systems and much more, given loading data and network hydraulic characteristic such as invert elevations and pipe diameters. These can be used in system design and analysis of existing systems. Storm sewer systems can be modeled using Bentleys SewerGEMS in a stand alone interface or inside AutoCAD, ArcGIS or MicroStation environments allowing interoperability, geospatial analysis, hydraulic and hydrologic calculations. The modeler is given the option to leverage the power of the modeling application and the modelers favorite drafting/mapping application simultaneously. Figure 2 illustrates a storm sewer thematic map with property-based symbology and annotation, inside MicroStation.

Figure 2: SewerGEMS thematic map with property-based symbology and annotation, inside MicroStation

Storm sewer analysis models have the ability to support the wide variety of elements found in the real world. The storm sewer structures supported range from manholes, inlets, pipe networks, channels, pumps, detention structures, control structures, and stormwater watersheds. In addition the modeling engine supports the modeling of looped pipe networks, flow splits, overflows, and storage capacity. Storm sewer analysis models can be used to perform capacity and overflow analysis of existing systems over an extended period of, say, 24 hours. SewerGEMS has a stable implicit finite difference numerical algorithm that solves the full St. Venant equations. Understanding Results.

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Digesting and comprehending the volume and complexity of raw numerical results from a hydraulic model can be challenging. Reporting, visualization, and thematic mapping tools are used to present the results to users in a variety of useful ways. Some of these tools include tabular results, profiles, map annotations, color coding, and graphs. Tabular results are customizable giving the user the option to view computed data selectively, sort and filter data based on constraints. Profiles help visualize how selected attributes, such as hydraulic grade, energy grade, ground elevation vary along an interconnected series of pipes over time. Element annotation is used for dynamic presentation of the values of user-selected variables in the plan view. Color coding allows to perform quick diagnostics on the network by assigning colors to a range of attribute values. Element sizing enables the modeler to change the line width (of pipes, channels etc) and element size (of manhole, inlets etc) based on any attribute of interest (such as flow rate, velocity, diameter etc) to the modeler.

Figure 3: Hydrographs for different storm events (back image) and Storm Sewer Line profiles (front image to the right) create using SewerGEMS can be compared simultaneously for all time steps.

Once the model is running successfully, it is important to realize that the model is just a tool for analysis, not the end in itself. The engineer or modeling professional should continue to spend more time engineering after efficiently building, loading, editing, running, and understanding the storm sewer model. In most studies, the engineer will run a large number of scenarios to analyze a wide range of alternative designs and operating strategies to optimize system performance.

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Continuing improvements include detecting and addressing system bottlenecks, optimization of control strategies, limit overflow occurrences, and more. Summary. Advances in the application of geospatial data in sewer modeling, analysis, and design keep increasing with each new development in geospatial technology and data availability. Modelers may not be aware of these geospatial advancements, and CAD/GIS professionals may not be aware that such tools could be applied to hydraulic modeling. Thus, modeling and CAD/GIS professionals must communicate regularly, constantly refining techniques to apply geospatial technology to storm sewer modeling. (Haestad et al, 2004) REFERENCES Bentley Systems Incorporated, 2005, SewerGEMS Users Manual, 2005, Haestad Press Watertown, Conn. Deagle, G., and S. Ancel. 2002. Development and maintenance of hydraulic models. Kansas City, MO: AWWA IMTech. Greene, R., N. Agbenowoshi, and G. F. Loganathan. 1999. GIS based approach to sewer system design. Journal of Surveying Engineering 125, no. 1: 3657. Orne, W., R. Hammond, and S. Cattran. 2001. Building better water models. Public Works, October. Przybyla, J. 2002. What stops folks cold from pursuing GIS. Public Works, April. Schatzlein, M. and J. Dieterlein. 2002. Finding Needles in a Haystack: IWCs Experience Optimizing Integration with Hydraulic Models. Kansas City, Missouri: AWWA IMTech. Shamsi, U. M. 2002. GIS Tools for Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Systems. Alexandria, VA: American Society of Civil Engineers Press. Times of India, July 28 2005. After the Flood news article Water Environment Federation. 2004. Implementing Geographical Information Systems, Alexandria, VA Water Environment Federation. Haestad et al. 2004. Wastewater Collection System Modeling and Design, Haestad Press Zeiler, M. 1999. Modeling Our World. Redlands, CA: ESRI Press.

Author Information: Sharavan Govindan Thomas M. Walski Robert Mankowski Jack Cook Malcolm Sharkey [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Bentley Systems Inc 27 Siemon Company Drive - Suite 200W Watertown CT US 06795 http://www.bentley.com/haestad.com
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