Date
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Time
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Location Name
Room 301D
Name
This Old Thing?: Giving Your Outdated Water Model a Fresh Makeover
Track
Distribution
Description
Municipalities and utility districts across the country continue to face challenges in managing rapid growth while ensuring water infrastructure remains resilient and adaptable to future demands. As communities expand, hydraulic water models play an increasingly critical role in maximizing the effectiveness of existing resources. Unfortunately, these models often become outdated or underutilized, leaving utilities struggling to keep pace with the increasing demands of development. A recent revitalization of the Knox Chapman Utility District’s (KCUD) water model illustrates how municipalities can breathe new life into their own systems. Originally developed in 2016, the KCUD water model had become less effective over time due to shifting priorities and growth in the region. Facing accelerated residential development and the need to optimize their system, KCUD partnered with WK Dickson to update and enhance their model for future planning. The phased approach to renew the model included comprehensive data collection, including GIS records, SCADA data, hydrant test results, and operational feedback from field personnel. The enhanced model provided actionable insights through scenario analysis, enabling strategic decision-making to address current needs and plan for the future. Additionally, the model facilitated development capacity checks, ensuring the infrastructure could support the demands of new residential neighborhoods. This case study highlights the practical value of water models in helping utilities transition from reactive problem-solving to proactive growth management. Attendees of this presentation will gain insights into the processes, challenges, and solutions involved in model rehabilitation. They will learn strategies to overcome common obstacles, such as data gaps and operational misalignments, and see how a revitalized water model can serve as a powerful tool for both immediate improvements and long-term planning.