The Path to Capacity Assessment

In March 1999, the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati (MSDGC) began the development of a system wide hydraulic modeling initiative. This program was referred to as the System Wide Model (SWM) program. The program included building a computer hydraulic model of the sewer system including all 12″ and above sanitary sewers and all 18″ and above combined sewers, the seven treatment plants hydraulically, developing a real time control foundation and in addition, the MSDGC staff was to be trained on how to use and maintain the model. In addition local sewer models were developed to address specific SSO areas.MSDGC has successfully completed the SWM, and integrated the model into its operations.The challenge was to develop a model that could be used by MSDGC staff as well as the consultants that work with MSDGC on capital, planning and operations projects. The project development included these elements: (1) a business plan (2) the hydraulic model and (3) the plan for sustaining the model into the future.The SWM project was successfully completed in April 2003. This paper discusses the project from the business plan development to the processes that were put in place to sustain the model and integrate the model into MSDGC's operations.A project management team was formed for the project. This management team was divided into the following areas of responsibility: (1) the model and overall project management, (2) management of all flow data and (3) rain data and management of all data from the model. This project management team developed processes for managing a project that included: a three year time span, four phases of funds allocations, a time and material contract, nine consultants and a staff of over one hundred people.This paper will discuss those processes and the lessons learned by the MSDGC team.