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Hydraulic modelling

A computerised hydraulic model has been developed for the Dubbo sewerage system. Wet weather stormwater inflow and infiltration of the sewerage system, resulting in pump station overflows, sewage spills and sewage discharge, led to significant costs for Council. Council was also looking for a new approach to the inspection of sewers.

This resulted in a partnership with engineering consultants, Montgomery Watson, to develop a computerised hydraulic model of the sewerage system.

“The new system represents a shift away from simple static grade line analysis of sewerage systems,” said Dubbo City Council’s Sewerage Project Manager, Geoff Bellingham. “One of our primary objectives was to determine the existing level of service or hydraulic performance of the sewerage system, by understanding how much additional wet weather flow can be accommodated before the system capacity is exceeded.”

The development was conducted in key stages, which included sewer network building using a HydroWorks software, recording of the flow and rainfall, hydraulic model calibration and verification, documentation of procedures, and testing and development.

For further information, contact Geoff Bellingham on (02) 6881 4287.

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