Lehigh County Authority Integrated Water System Model
Innovative water system model approach results in new efficiencies.
- Client
Lehigh County Authority
- Location
- Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
- Our Role
- Computer Model Development.
- Data
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- Completed
- In Progress
- Duration
- In Progress
- Outcomes
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Model helps LCA meet mission of providing continually improved water service
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Model requires fewer financial and time resources than traditional models
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Successful integration of GIS, customer data, and SCADA systems.
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The Lehigh County Authority (LCA) is a public water and wastewater authority utility serving approximately 55,000 customers throughout Northampton and Lehigh counties. To help LCA evaluate its system and plan for the future, Gannett Fleming designed an innovative and efficient water system computer model that seamlessly integrates geographic information system (GIS) data, customer billing data, and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems while allowing each data source to be managed independently. The model was built for LCA’s Suburban Division water system, reaching approximately 16,000 customers and handling an average daily demand of 6.5 million gallons per day.
What We Did
Gannett Fleming developed and applied the water system model through innovative data integration using Bentley® WaterGEMS model software and original scripts and procedures. Links automate data transfer between information and systems that were previously managed by separate staff, resulting in an accurate model that requires significantly fewer financial and time resources to maintain than traditional stand-alone water system models.
The model simulates a snapshot of water system conditions, avoids tedious manual updates common with traditional water system models, and overcomes typical integration hurdles. This sustainable process maintains data integrity throughout the model’s life cycle and enables LCA to better evaluate and optimize operations and water quality throughout its distribution system, leading to improved drinking water for LCA’s customers. With links established to primary data sources, the model can easily be updated as LCA’s water system continues to grow.
Key Features
- Water system model includes 260 miles of distribution, five pressure zones, 18 wells, three booster stations, and four storage tanks
- Water age, fluoride, and hardness trace simulations are part of the water quality analysis of the distribution system
- Model surpasses traditional integration hurdles by combining software tools and innovative scripts.
Awards & Recognition
- Finalist in Innovation in Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Networks, 2012, Bentley®, Be Inspired Awards
- Gannett Fleming and Lehigh County Authority Attract Global Attention with Water System Model
- Civil + Structural Engineer magazine, July 2013
- YouTube video: Innovative Model Data Integration Processes.