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Sediment Deposition and Transport
Sanitary sewer systems can carry substantial loads of suspended solids (waste solids). These sediments can collect causing blockages (shock loading under periods of low flow) and overflow events, as well as impairing the hydraulic capacity of the sewer pipes (by restricting their flow area and increasing the bed friction resistance). InfoSWMM can accurately simulate the transport and gravitational settling (deposition) of sediments (total suspended solids including grit) over time throughout the sewer collection system under varying hydraulic conditions.

ModelTracker
Record keeping and tracking the changes made to a model during the model building, calibration, analysis and design phases could be a nightmare if not supported by an efficient tool. The ModelTracker simplifies these tasks for InfoSWMM users. ModelTracker tools enable users to create, store, retrieve and manage model related supplemental information to show the evolution of the model throughout the project life-cycle.  The advanced query and search capability offered by ModelTracker allows users to easily locate the desired historical information and verify changes and additions. The Model Notes Editor, a component of ModelTracker, facilitates annotating model changes using a rich text editing interface which provides user-friendly tools to capture all the desired information and highlight important information.

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Source Tracing
Source tracing tracks over time what percent of sewage reaching any pipe or manhole in the network had its origin at a particular source node. The source node can be any manhole in the network, including wet-wells. Source tracing is very useful in sewer collection systems, and could be used for (1) tracking changes in sewage flow contribution (and associated constituents) over space and time; (2) predicting impact of industrial and commercial waste discharges on performance of wastewater treatment plants; (3) determining contaminant level that causes a wastewater treatment plant to be in violation of its discharge permits; (4) and developing appropriate user charges based on wasteloads and level of contaminant.

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Tools to Improve Long-term Simulation Efficiency
InfoSWMM simulations greater that 50-years in duration are possible, and in some cases they are required to meet EPA’s regulatory demands.  The wet-weather flow analysis integrates hydrologic simulation to generate runoff with hydraulic routing to convey the flow through the collection system. Dynamic wave routing is usually required for wet-weather analysis because it is robust and yields sound results in most cases, but it is computationally demanding especially for long-term simulations. Within the simulation duration there may be periods of no rain (i.e., dry periods) when there is little change in flow patterns. During these dry periods, there may be insignificant changes in flow from one time step to another time step due to pumping operations and dry-weather flows. The model can skip these periods—moving forward in time to the next rainfall event. Several options have been implemented in InfoSWMM to improve efficiency of long-term simulations while maintaining an accurate solution.

Flow Source Control
InfoSWMM offers the option to ignore one or more inflow sources such as DWF, external inflow, RDII and surface runoff from the analysis. For example, if the main interest is to conduct rainfall-runoff simulation, other inflow sources such as dry weather flow, external inflow, or RDII flow may be ignored during the analysis. This feature has two basic benefits. 1) One may develop different model scenarios each simulating the effect of one or more inflow sources on the system. This will help to quantify the relative contribution of various inflow sources to a point of interest such as wastewater treatment plants. 2) Fluctuations in lateral inflow exhibited during dry periods may be avoided thus improving computational efficiency of long-term rainfall-runoff simulation.
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Flexible (Selective) Output Data Generation
The output data generated by InfoSWMM may be voluminous for long-duration simulations. In most cases, the user may need only a small portion of this total output. The flexible output generation option allows the modeler to get results only for selective nodes and links--significantly decreasing the output data size without compromising the modeler’s need.
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Automate Dual Drainage Creation
The dual drainage (major/minor) system input tool facilitates a common urban drainage configuration. With this tool a modeler can quickly create surface drainage systems to simulate overland flow in streets and streams that leaves or reenters a subsurface system. This powerful geocentric tool provides the most accurate and flexible method for creating a dual drainage systems. The major and minor systems are connected with an outlet. The outlet may be defined with a rating curve and modulated control to represent any type of inlet or other connection between the major and minor drainage networks.

Quickly Locate Errors in Input Data or Network Topology
In addition to InfoSWMM's powerful query functionality and map-based network review tools, the new Network Audit and Engineering Review tools simplify data QA/QC. Search the entire model for any parameters outside the expected range and create a report of the features with unexpected values using any number of the 41 predefined rules. Zoom to any feature be selecting it in the report.

Modulated Controls
Model any hydraulic structure with total confidence and accuracy utilizing the new modulated controls. Modulated controls are control rules that provide for a continuous degree of control applied to a pump or flow regulator (orifice, weir, or outlet) as determined by the value of some controller variable, such as water depth at a node, or by time. The functional relation between the control setting and the controller variable is specified by using a Control Curve or Time Series. Modulated controls provide the most sophisticated and responsive hydraulic modeling capabilities for real-time control of sewer collection systems. These controls can create exact simulations of real outfall conditions.

Floating Graphs and Reports
Floating graphs and reports are displayed in a unique dialog box. Any type of report or graph may be floating or docked. Floating reports have all the functionality of docked reports. New window tools in the report manager are used to manage the way floating reports are arranged on the screen.
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Calculate Missing Node Invert Elevations
The node Invert Calculator automatically populates missing inverts of nodes in the drainage system upstream of a selected node. Conduit slope attributes are used to populate missing inverts. This tool may be applied to the entire system or any selected portion.

Scatter Plots
Scatter plots may be generated for any two output data fields. Trend lines can be added to determine the correlation between any two parameters.

Enhanced Water Quality Modeling
New hydrogen sulfide and corrosion modeling tools provide a breakthrough in dynamic sewer modeling. These tools predict the generation and propagation of hydrogen sulfide gases that can result in odor complaints and system degradation.

Storage Volume Summary Report
The Storage Volume Summary report table presents a summary of some storage result variables that assist analyzing the drainage system. Using this report results alone, storage volume(s) within the simulation duration and the time of occurrence of this maximum percent full, and other essential modeling parameters are easily identified.

Summary Report Generated for Specified Time Frame
All summary reports now report based upon the reporting time frame as opposed to the simulation time frame. This added flexibility provides ability to view summary results for any time period of a simulation.

Enhanced Animations
InfoSWMM animations have been dramatically improved to provide crystal-clear videos of system output values changing over time displayed via a thematic map. Additional functionality allows the video to be paused at any time.

DWF Load Allocator Fully Supports ArcGIS Definition Queries

Working with huge data sets as part of your model build process is no longer an issue. InfoSWMM and all associated Suite Modules now fully support ArcGIS Definition Queries. This allows master planners and model builders to quickly use any subset of GIS data with blazing speed in relation to loading and using entire GIS data sets. This is especially important in regards to use of the DWF (Dry Weather Flow) Load Allocator. In a typical large system, there may be many thousands and 10's of thousands of meter records (in the largest cases multiple 100's of thousands). When water meter records are not available for a sewer system, it is typical to have ERUs (or Equivalent Residential Units) to identify DWF Sewer loads.

Allocating loads for these huge numbers of meters or ERUs can be extremely time consuming. Using a simple Definition Query to identify only meters that meet your needs i.e. either commercial, residential, industrial, and others; or only ones that match a geographical areas such as each pressure zone, City A out of a County's worth of meter data, or other geographical data; are a couple instances of where this new capability will save hours, days, or weeks of manipulation of model background data.

Support Colorado Urban Hydrograph Procedure, NRCS Dimensionless Unit Hydrograph, and NRCS Triangular Unit Hydrograph Subcatchment Rainfall Runoff Models

InfoSWMM now supports the Delmarva Unit Hydrograph, Clark Unit Hydrograph, Snyder Unit Hydrograph, Santa Barbara Hydrograph, Espey Unit Hydrograph, and San Diego Modified Rational Formula. Also supported is the Colorado Urban Hydrograph Procedure (CUHP), NRCS dimensionless unit hydrograph method, and NRCS triangular unit hydrograph approach. These methods are alternates to the EPA SWMM's non-linear reservoir method.
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Statistics Module

The statistics module of InfoSWMM provides a tool for statistical and special analyses for individual system elements and overall system summary. The module covers both hydraulic and pollutant results over any portion of the given simulation duration.

The statistics module can be used to simultaneously analyze any number of elements in the system. The enhanced interface allows statistics to be easily reviewed. Exceedance frequency plots can be generated for any statistic.

The statistic tool covers both the event based analyses and monthly/annually summaries. Selected element result can easily be divided into a series of separate events based on optional variable value threshold, integrated value threshold, and event time separation, including daily and monthly periods. Supported statistical analyses include mean, peak, and total values. These separate events are also analyzed for mean, standard deviation and skewness. All events are ranked and reported according to their respective statistical values. Frequency analyses are also performed on these events to provide frequencies of occurrences on individual event values and estimates on exceedance frequencies and return periods. The monthly and annual summary reports apply to longer term simulation covering over a month and/or a year time period. The summary reports are based on calendar months and years during the simulation run. The reported statistical analyses include their respective minimum, maximum, and mean values.

A special optional flooding stage analysis is provided for all system manhole nodes and storage units. The tool provides an analysis on the length of time and associated stage of selected nodal element with flooding condition above a given flooding elevation for that node. Results are presented as a flooding stage duration curve for user reference.

The module can be activated as a separate analysis tool. It is available with any applicable output data.

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Combine Interface Files

Combines two routing interface files of any level of complexity. (i.e., different time step, different time span, different flow and water quality variables, different number of output nodes, etc.)

Support Sub-Model Cut Off and Sub-Model Merger

Allow selected facilities to be exported as a stand along EPA-SWMM5 model. Allow importing several EPA-SWMM5 models into one InfoSWMM project (extended EPA-SWMM5 files will be supported).

H2OMAP Sewer/H2OMAP SWMM/InfoSewer Import

Imports H2OMAP Sewer, H2OMAP SWMM and InfoSewer models with a mouse click.

Node water level status - for Report, Attribute Browser, and Map Display

Reports status of water level for a node with reference to invert and crown elevations of conduits leaving the node, and the maximum depth of the node for easy review of the node's flooding potential.

Node water level will be flagged thus providing essential information on flooding status of nodes. The reported water level status will be one of the following four depending on depth of water in the node.

  • Below Link Invert
    when water level is below the invert elevation of the leaving conduit. If multiple conduits are leaving the node, we are planning to use the minimum of the invert elevations of the leaving conduits.

  • Below Link Crown
    If water level is below the crown elevation of the leaving conduit but above the invert elevation of the conduits. If multiple conduits are leaving the node, we are planning to use the maximum of the crown elevations of the leaving conduits.

  • Below Maximum Depth
    If water level is below the maximum depth of the node, but above the crown elevation of the leaving conduits.

  • Surcharged
    If water level exceeds the maximum depth of the node, whether ponding is allowed or not.

Enhanced HGL report and graph

Enhanced HGL profile that allows zooming in to specific nodes and conduits to closely review modeling results, that displays measured node head along with calculated head thus assisting during calibration efforts, and that allows saving of HGL profiles to selection sets for quick retrieval.

Create Input Profile Plots
Evaluate long-sections of conduits before running a simulation. This new tool displays the sewer profile along a series of connected links and nodes before running a simulation. Quickly add the next upstream or downstream link to the profile plot. Launch a HGL profile plot directly from this interface, pan upstream or downstream and launch additional HGL profiles. Locate and highlight the conduits currently displayed on the map.

Displaying measured node head along with calculated head on HGL plot

If measured node depth is available for the nodes included in a profile plot, the graph will display both calculated and measured heads. If more than one node has measured depths, an interpolated line will be used to connect the nodes.

Calibration file reports

Generates calibration reports and graphs that compare measured data with simulated data, a very helpful tool for model calibration.

Nine additional calibration file types are now supported by InfoSWMM. These files are used in reports to display measured and calculated values for the available calibration file types (Node Depth, Node Head, Node Lateral Inflow, Node Flooding, Node Quality, Groundwater Flow, Groundwater Elevation, Snow Depth, Storage Volume, Link Flow, Conduit Depth, Conduit Velocity, Conduit HGL, and Runoff.)

Monthly or/and annual summary (total flow, average concentration, etc.) report/graph

Displaying flooding stage duration curve

These would describe the length of time and associated stage for each storage unit or manhole node. The flooding elevation will need to be incorporated into the Node data tables in order to perform this calculation. In this graph, elevation 610 is the flooding elevation. Note: This feature is going to be available from the statistics module, not from output report manager.

New Raingage Set Support

Supports creation of modeling scenarios based on rainfall data sets (e.g., different design rainfalls).

Extended Special Queries

  • Find Contributing Subcatchments
  • Find Drainage Nodes
  • Find Node Links (Upstream, Downstream, Both)

Automatic display of calibration data

If available, measured data for subcatchment runoff, node depth, and link flow will be automatically displayed along with calculated output when user creates a graph for a subcatchment, node, or link, respectively. A global option will be added to preferences page to allow the user to turn off this feature, if s/he wishes.

Adding elements with calibration data to special queries

The special query feature available from domain manager and facility manager will support querying on nodes, subcatchments, or links which have calibration data provided.

Flagging node's "flooding" output with red color on the Attribute Browser

If the "flooding" output for nodes is greater than zero, its value will be displayed in red to attract attention of the modeler.

Flagging conduit's "Capacity" output with red color on the Attribute Browser

If the "capacity" (equivalent to d/D) output for conduits is equal to 1.0, its value will be displayed in red to attract attention of the modeler.

Map display based on raingage coverage

Subcatchments will be color-coded based on the RGs assigned to them. The color of the RGs shall be same as color of the subcatchments to which the RG is assigned.

Map Display: allow unique value rendering

Supports color coding based on unique values such as conduit shape, storage shape, subcatchments based on the raingage used as rainfall data source, etc.

Map Display

  • Allow the flow direction to be shown (instead of link direction)
  • Allow Element ID to be shown together with the value
  • Allow the distinct colors to be quickly assigned

Polygon Digitizing: allow pressing"Del" key to revert back to the previous point

Map Selection: Optionally change (subcatchment) polygon (selection) highlighting scheme

Network Review Tools

Including Nodes in Closest Proximity, Conduit-Split Candidates, and
Crossing Conduits. The conduit's 3D location (inverts and slope) can optionally be put into consideration in determining the crossing status (Network Tracing has been provided in InfoSWMM V1).

Extended EPA-SWMM5 Import/Export

Optional Extended EPA-SWMM5 files can be used to facilitate exchanging in between InfoSWMM models.

GIS Gateway now supports Pattern, Curve, Time Series, and Output Relate

Allow Text File Exchange for Pattern, Curve, and Time Series Dialog Box

Imports and exports time series, pattern, and curve text files very easily.

Report total flow (overflow) volume through links and nodes

Total volume of flow through links and total inflow volume into junctions, aggregated over the simulation duration, will be added to summary reports (e.g. conduit depth summary, junction flow summary, etc).

Report total flooding volume through junctions

Total volume of flooding flow lost through junctions, aggregated over the simulation duration, will be added to junction flow summary report.