Sanitary Sewer modeling software

[mendacem]

Hello everyone!

I'm about to start learning sewer modeling. I've done a few models by hand but would like to modernize my workflow. What is the most popular sanitary sewer modeling software? Preferably free, but I do have an SSA AutoCAD license, so I'm wondering how it compares to other options on the market.

I've used SSA and SWMM for stormwater modeling—how do they compare when it comes to sanitary sewer modeling?

 

[xxKingDiamondxx]

My own personal experience, I use a combination of EPAnet and SSA (SWMM) as a backup (if pumps are present). However, I'll size the pumps using EPAnet but then do dynamic analysis with SSA using a hydrograph. You can manufacture a hydrograph using a synthetic hydrograph with a known peak flow.

To answer your question, SWMMM is adequate for sanitary sewer modeling of small to medium systems. Most utilities are moving to use ICM (Autodesk). It is expensive but fast and robust. I just finished a masterplanning project. The model had at least 20 lift stations and at more than 100000 feet of sanitary sewer. SWMM cannot do that type of modeling in a reasonable amount of time. ICM can do a 4 day run in about 30 minutes. The advantage of ICM is that you can model infiltration and perform calibrations of the model, run different area hydrographs, ect. In summary, it just has too many features. The problem is that if you come from using SWMMM, you will feel you are writing with your left hand when learning ICM. The model setup is very different as it is a database engine. I know that ICM is now connected to Autocad so you can exchange information between both.

 

[mendacem]

Thanks for your input.

I am familiar with ICM yes, but the license price outweighs benefits for me at this moment, as I am freelancing, so I was kind of looking for some free options, or at least options with monthly subscriptions at reasonable prices. I was looking at software such as CLOACAS (SEWERS) by HidraSoftware and UrbanoCanalis by StudioARS, which looks particularly interesting, modern and intuitive when going through tutorials at least, so I was wondering if someone here might have some experience with those?