Widespread acceptance of PC-based hydraulic modeling software and recent advances in PC-based geographic information systems have enabled water utilities to explore the benefits of integrating GIS and network modeling technologies.
In the case of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the nation's largest municipally owned utility, a hydraulic modeling project was started in 1990. As of November 1994, over 75% of the City's area has been modeled using two PC-based hydraulic modeling software packages. Models have since been reviewed and utilized by engineers for water system analysis, design, planning and customer support.
In May 1994, in coordination with the on-going hydraulic modeling project, the LADWP began a pilot project to develop a PC-based geographic information system that would be structurally compatible with network modeling software. During the project, several aspects of integrating hydraulics with GIS-based water facility maps were explored. In addition, the LADWP developed a pilot Geographic Pressure Information System which gives any IBM-compatible PC user the ability to enter a customer's street address and provide the customer with a maximum pressure quotation.
The purpose of this paper is to describe the LADWP's hydraulic modeling project and the various techniques that were employed to combine hydraulics with GIS during the pilot project.
Christopher T. Stern
Engineering Systems Manager
L.A. Dept of Water & Power
Telephone: 213-367-1179
Fax: 213-367-1168