Design of Water Supply Networks using EPANET
$5500.00
Design of Water Supply Networks using EPANET - 5-Day Professional Training Course
Course Overview
This EPANET water network modeling training provides comprehensive skills in hydraulic analysis and design of water distribution systems using industry-standard software. EPANET, developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is the world’s most widely used water distribution modeling platform, employed by thousands of utilities globally for network design, optimization, and troubleshooting. This hands-on course transforms participants into proficient modelers capable of designing cost-effective, reliable water networks meeting regulatory standards.
Target Audience
Water distribution engineers
Network design consultants
Utility planning professionals
Civil and hydraulic engineers
Asset management specialists
Operations managers
Engineering students
GIS analysts in water sector
Day 1: EPANET Fundamentals and Hydraulic Principles
Morning Session: Introduction to Network Modeling
Why Model Water Distribution Systems?
Hydraulic modeling has become indispensable for modern water utilities, enabling design optimization that saves 15-30% in capital costs, operational analysis identifying 20-40% energy savings, emergency planning, regulatory compliance demonstration, and expansion planning based on hydraulic performance analysis.
Software capabilities:
EPANET performs steady-state and extended period hydraulic simulations, water quality constituent tracking, chlorine decay modeling, water age analysis, and source tracing. Its widespread adoption stems from being free, open-source, user-friendly, and extensively validated.
Afternoon Session: Hydraulic Theory and Software Interface
Essential Hydraulic Principles
Understanding energy equations and head loss calculations using Hazen-Williams formula: hf = 10.67 × L × Q^1.85 / (C^1.85 × D^4.87), where friction loss depends on pipe length, flow, roughness coefficient (C-values: PVC=150, new iron=130, aged iron=80-100), and diameter.
System curve analysis relates flow to head requirements, intersecting pump curves to determine operating points and optimal pump selection.
EPANET Interface Navigation:
Installing EPANET 2.2, exploring menus, workspace layout, setting preferences, and examining sample networks building familiarity.
Hands-On Exercise:
Creating a simple 5-node network, defining pipes and junctions, setting demands and elevations, running steady-state simulation, and interpreting pressure and velocity results establishing foundational competency.
Day 2: Network Component Modeling
Morning Session: Junctions and Pipes
Building Network Topology
Junction nodes represent consumption points with properties including elevation (from DEMs or surveys), base demand (150-400 L/capita/day residential), demand patterns (hourly multipliers showing morning peaks at 1.5-2.0× average, night minimums at 0.3-0.5×), and emitter coefficients for pressure-dependent leakage modeling.
Pipe elements require length and diameter (from GIS databases or as-built drawings), material and roughness coefficients, minor loss coefficients for fittings, and status settings enabling operational scenarios.
Common pipe sizes:
Local distribution: 100-150mm (4-6")
Sub-mains: 200-400mm (8-16")
Transmission mains: 500-1000mm+ (20-40"+)
Afternoon Session: Pumps, Tanks, and Valves
Active Network Components
Pump modeling defines head-flow relationships from manufacturer curves using three-point entry (shutoff head, design point, maximum flow). Multiple pump configurations include parallel (additive flow) versus series (additive head) arrangements. Variable speed pumps enable 30-50% energy savings versus fixed-speed throttled operation.
Storage tanks require geometry definition (cylindrical, rectangular, or custom volume curves), operating levels (minimum, maximum, initial), and mixing models (complete mixing, two-compartment, or stratified) affecting water quality.
Valve types include pressure reducing valves (PRVs) for zone management, pressure sustaining valves (PSVs) preventing tank drainage, and flow control valves (FCVs) limiting transfers.
Practical Exercise:
Designing a two-zone system with booster pumping, elevated tank, PRV separating zones, simulating daily operations observing tank levels, pump cycling, and pressure variations.
Day 3: Extended Period Simulation and Water Quality
Morning Session: Time-Based Hydraulic Analysis
Extended Period Simulation (EPS)
Moving beyond steady-state to dynamic 24-hour+ simulations applying diurnal demand patterns to junction categories (residential peaks morning/evening, commercial peaks mid-day, industrial constant).
Tank dynamics show filling during low demand (night) when production exceeds consumption, draining during peaks supplementing supply. Proper sizing maintains levels within operating range without excessive pump cycling.
Pump scheduling strategies:
Level-based control: “Start Pump1 if Tank1 below 3m”
Time-based control: “Open Valve5 at 6:00 AM” for off-peak pumping
Conditional logic: combining time and conditions optimizing operations
Energy cost analysis demonstrates 40-60% cost reduction through optimized scheduling versus continuous operation using time-of-use electricity tariffs.
Afternoon Session: Water Quality Modeling
Constituent Transport and Water Age
Water age tracking simulates residence time from source to consumption. Excessive age (>5 days) indicates stagnation risks: disinfectant decay, nitrification, taste/odor development, and biofilm growth.
Mitigation strategies include eliminating dead-ends through looping, systematic flushing programs, tank mixing improvements, and avoiding oversized infrastructure.
Chlorine decay modeling uses bulk decay (first-order reaction in water) and wall decay (pipe surface reactions varying by material: iron 0.3-2.0 m/day, PVC 0.0-0.1). Regulatory compliance requires maintaining minimum 0.2 mg/L residual throughout network.
Source tracing determines percentage contribution from multiple supply sources supporting water quality management and cost allocation.
Hands-On Exercise:
Conducting 48-hour EPS with water quality modeling, identifying high water age zones, simulating chlorine decay, evaluating compliance, and proposing operational improvements.
Day 4: Model Calibration and Network Design
Morning Session: Model Calibration Methodology
Achieving Accurate Predictive Models
Field data collection includes pressure monitoring at 10-20 locations over 7+ days, flow measurements at supply sources and zone boundaries, and fire hydrant testing validating pipe roughness and capacity.
Calibration process:
Demand allocation validation - comparing modeled total demand against metered production (±5% accuracy)
Roughness coefficient adjustment - matching observed pressures (±3 psi) and flows (±10%)
Boundary condition verification - confirming tank levels and pump operating points with SCADA data
Sensitivity analysis tests model response to parameter variations identifying critical inputs requiring field verification versus parameters acceptable with engineering estimates.
Afternoon Session: Network Design Principles
Designing New Distribution Systems
Design criteria:
Pressure: minimum 20 psi (14 m) peak demand, maximum 80 psi (55 m) static
Velocity: maximum 2.5 m/s preventing water hammer, minimum 0.3 m/s avoiding sedimentation
Fire flow: residential 500-1,500 gpm, commercial 1,500-3,500 gpm at minimum 20 psi residual
Pipe sizing methodology balances capital costs (larger pipes expensive) against operational costs (smaller pipes higher pumping costs). Optimal diameter minimizes life-cycle costs using present value analysis.
Branched versus looped systems - Branched networks simpler but single-failure vulnerable; looped networks provide redundancy, better pressure distribution, and improved water quality.
Design workflow: Define service area → establish layout → calculate demands → size pipes → verify pressure compliance → check water quality → optimize iteratively.
Case Study Exercise:
Designing new residential development (200 homes), calculating demands, sizing pipes, evaluating fire flow capacity, optimizing layout, and preparing construction specifications.
Day 5: Advanced Analysis and Optimization
Morning Session: Troubleshooting and Scenario Analysis
Solving Real-World Problems
Low pressure diagnosis using EPANET identifies causes: undersized pipes, insufficient pump capacity, partially closed valves, low tank levels, or excessive leakage. Solution evaluation tests interventions comparing costs and benefits.
Water quality investigations address high water age zones (dead-ends, oversized pipes) requiring pipe downsizing, unidirectional flushing, or reconfiguration. Disinfectant residual deficiency requires booster chlorination or pipe cleaning reducing wall decay.
Contamination event simulation models deliberate or accidental contamination, tracks dispersion, identifies impacted zones, and develops isolation strategies supporting emergency response planning.
Afternoon Session: Network Optimization and Resilience
Advanced Optimization Techniques
Least-cost design using genetic algorithms minimizes total network cost (capital + operational) while satisfying pressure, velocity, fire flow, and redundancy constraints. Results show 15-25% cost reductions versus conventional design.
Energy optimization includes pump scheduling minimizing energy costs (25-40% typical savings) and pressure management through strategic PRV placement achieving 15-30% leakage reduction.
Network resilience analysis simulates pipe failure scenarios identifying vulnerable zones, calculates reliability indices quantifying system robustness, and evaluates redundancy ensuring service continuity during failures.
Capstone Project:
Participants receive complex real-world scenario requiring complete network construction from GIS data, demand allocation, calibration using field measurements, design analysis identifying deficiencies, capital improvement recommendations, cost-benefit analysis, and professional report preparation demonstrating comprehensive EPANET competency.
Course Outcomes
Graduates will master:
EPANET software operation and workflow
Hydraulic theory application to network design
Component modeling (pipes, pumps, tanks, valves)
Extended period simulation and control logic
Water quality constituent transport modeling
Model calibration using field data
Network design and optimization techniques
Professional modeling report preparation
Certification
Participants receive EPANET Water Network Modeling Specialist certificate demonstrating proficiency in hydraulic modeling, network design, and optimization using industry-standard software.
Keywords: EPANET training, water network modeling, hydraulic modeling software, distribution system design, EPANET tutorial, network simulation, pipe sizing, pump optimization, water quality modeling, EPANET certification, hydraulic analysis, infrastructure modeling, pressure analysis, fire flow modeling
