The Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) has used Bentley Systems? WaterGEMS software to deploy the most advanced technologies in the electricity, water and gas fields to keep up with the region?s supply needs
By using WaterGEMS, SEWA managed its water network, model water supply patterns, plan maintenance and reduce water leakage in the 3,400km water distribution network as part of the SEWA Water 2030 initiative.
The Sharjah Emirate has undergone rapid urbanisation including the development of industrial, commercial and agricultural projects that require a higher demand for water.
In this feasibility study, SEWA used WaterGEMS on the 40-year-old network to locate the ageing pipelines that needed replacement, identify the pressure zones, and detect leaks in the water network. Additionally, high pressures in the system caused breakages in parts of the transmission network, specifically around the pump stations.
WaterGEMS pinpoints weaknesses for needed improvements
According to Abir Oueidat from Bentley Systems, Incorporated, WaterGEMS optimised SEWA?s future investments to ensure premier customer service to their consumers. By creating hydraulic simulations to check the pressures in the systems under different operating conditions and demand scenarios, WaterGEMS provided SEWA with a better understanding of the water supply system?s operations by identifying where improvements are needed.
The project data was built from a geographic information system (GIS) database that could be updated in real-time and shared with departments within the Sharjah government.
The seamless integration of the GIS database within the model allowed for the update of any structural changes, such as the construction of new pipelines, or the addition of tanks. With this real-time connection, the model is consistently up to date, accurate, and reflective of the current situation.
Managing and updating data in real-time
The geospatial and water professionals at SEWA worked with the GIS data to create digital elevation models (DEMs) and parcel information, billing data for node demand calculation and CAD data for infrastructure information.
With the model builder module in WaterGEMS, SEWA engineers could easily import external data into the hydraulic model. The improved data accessibility enhanced workflows and accelerated communication and information sharing among dispersed teams and stakeholders.
The feasibility study conducted via WaterGEMS allowed SEWA to create a programme for network improvement and development, which identified the critical ageing pipes and valves to be replaced, in addition to the recommended pipe size changes.
WaterGEMS has optimised engineering workflows and enabled SEWA to better manage their emergency response system, such as locating the valves to be closed in case of pipe breakage. These workflows drastically improved network efficiency, which resulted in major cost savings.
?With Bentley?s unique approach and technologies, we are confident in adopting more efficient ways of working to achieve our mission and goals,? said Dr AlaEldin Idris, head of the planning section of SEWA?s water department.
By using WaterGEMS, SEWA achieved continuous water supply, generating a 98 per cent customer satisfaction rating, and most importantly, reduced water loss by seven to 10 per cent.
