Hydraulic Modeling

Jones Edmunds offers quality modeling and design services to support complex, large-scale project management, planning, and design efforts for water system infrastructure improvements:

• Water System Hydraulic Modeling
• Pump Station Optimization
• Water Quality Modeling
• Transient Hydraulic Modeling
• Overall System Evaluation Studies
• Pressure-Based Demand Evaluations
• Distribution System Flushing Optimization

Our goal is to help provide a safe and reliable water system that maximizes system connection efficiency and reduces operating costs.

With our thorough understanding of pressure system design, in-house modeling tools, and expertise in pipe materials, Jones Edmunds is highly qualified to create and apply computerized modeling. Our staff routinely accesses Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems and conducts field tests as part of the calibration process to assess the validity and accuracy of model results.

Jones Edmunds’ staff has developed and routinely applies state-of-the-art computer modeling techniques to evaluate system performance and to fulfill design criteria. Using a variety of software packages such as Water CAD/WaterGEMS, H2O Map, HAMMER, and LIQT, we apply our hydraulic modeling expertise to help clients analyze and optimize their utilities systems.

The following are some examples of the large-scale water distribution modeling that we have done across Florida.

Pinellas County

Jones Edmunds developed a WaterGEMS® hydraulic model for an 800,000-customer water transmission and distribution network, including six pumping stations (with 20 pumps total), 11 storage tanks, approximately 2,000 miles of piping (3/4–60-inch diameter), and several thousand valves.  This model was used to design major system improvements, including a 110-mgd high-service pumping station, and to optimize pumping operations and reduce energy usage throughout the water system.

Charlotte County

Jones Edmunds developed the County’s water system model to evaluate planned water main extensions, water age, and flushing requirements.  The model was calibrated to accurately predict hydraulic conditions through extended period simulation.  The system includes three pumping stations (with 15 pumps total), three storage tanks, approximately 1,300 miles of piping, and several thousand valves.

Polk County

Jones Edmunds developed a WaterGEMS® hydraulic model as part of a water master plan to evaluate the County’s water system for deficiencies, to accommodate future growth, and to develop short- and long-term capital improvement plans.  The water system included six water treatment plants (WTPs) serving approximately 12,000 customers.  The hydraulic model was used to balance the water supply within the system to improve water quality and increase the efficient use of the WTPs.

City of Tarpon Springs

Jones Edmunds developed the City’s water model based on CAD data to evaluate water age within the City’s distribution system and water quality issues associated with a conversion to a chloramines disinfection system.

 
City of Oldsmar

Jones Edmunds developed the City’s water model based on GIS data to evaluate a new water supply connection from Pinellas County and to evaluate pressure and flow within the system, while closing a supply connection from the City of St. Petersburg.

Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU)

Jones Edmunds developed a hydraulic model to evaluate growth and expansion issues as well as to evaluate disinfectant residuals.  Approximately 66,000 customer meter demands were assigned to model nodes.  The modeling revealed significant pressure losses in a region of the system, and through sensitivity analysis Jones Edmunds identified areas with potentially closed valves.  Also through our modeling efforts available flow and pressure was increased to a significant number of water service customers.

City of Bradenton

Jones Edmunds created a hydraulic model of the City’s potable water distribution system that includes ground storage tanks, high-service pumps, elevated storage tanks, and system piping.  Uses for the model include sizing pipes needed for expansion, determining available fire flows to areas of the City, and analyzing the system's water quality.