117 © IWA Publishing 2012 Water Science & Technology: Water Supply | 12.

1 | 2012

WaterNetGen: an EPANET extension for automatic water

distribution network models generation and pipe sizing
João Muranho, Ana Ferreira, Joaquim Sousa, Abel Gomes
and Alfeu Sá Marques

ABSTRACT
João Muranho (corresponding author)
This paper focuses on the generation of synthetic models of water distribution networks (WDN).
Alfeu Sá Marques
Models are widely used in many fields related with WDN planning and operation. Therefore, the main IMAR – Instituto do Mar,
Departamento de Eng. Civil,
contribution of this work is to provide an automatic procedure to build models with the well-known Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da
Universidade de Coimbra,
EPANET tool in a manner that, with a small amount of input data and a few clicks, the user can build a Rua Luís Reis Santos – Pólo II da Universidade,
3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal
network topology and assign suitable pipe diameters. For that purpose, a new application, called
E-mail: muranho@mail.telepac.pt
WaterNetGen, was designed and implemented as an extension to the EPANET software.
Ana Ferreira
WaterNetGen can be used to generate synthetic models of WDN, with several hundred nodes and Departamento de Eng. Civil,
Escola Superior Tecnologia,
pipes, within a few minutes. The sizing capability allows the selection of commercial diameters, such Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco,
Avenida do Empresário,
that the final network design satisfies certain user-defined design constraints, like minimum 6000-767 Castelo Branco, Portugal
diameter, maximum velocity and minimum pressure. The total water demand is allocated to the Joaquim Sousa
Departamento de Eng. Civil,
pipes taking into account their length and a demand coefficient. The water demand of each pipe is
Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Coimbra,
then assigned to its start and end nodes and follows a specific demand pattern. Rua Pedro Nunes – Quinta da Nora,
3030-199 Coimbra, Portugal
Key words | EPANET, model generation, pipe sizing, water distribution networks, WaterNetGen
Abel Gomes
Instituto de Telecomunicações,
Universidade da Beira Interior,
Rua Marquês d’Ávila e Bolama,
6000-001 Covilhã, Portugal

INTRODUCTION

Mathematical models have been widely used in the planning
and operation of water distribution networks (WDN): pipe
design (Savic & Walters ; Cunha & Sousa ; Maier
et al. ; Geem ), pump operation (McCormick &
Powell ; Rao & Salomons ; López-Ibáñez et al.
), water quality studies (Rossman et al. ), and so
on. A model provides a mathematical framework for
describing a particular system, which can be extremely
useful to identify and evaluate alternative scenarios for
system planning and operation.
The availability of public accessible repositories of
WDN models with different sizes (number of nodes/
pipes) can be of great interest (for example, the research
community and software developers can use
repository to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of
new algorithms). The website of the Centre for Water Sys-
tems at Exeter University (http://centres.exeter.ac.uk/
cws/) has several WDN models that can be downloaded
and used. A WDN model for a ‘virtual city’ is presented
in Brumbelow et al. (), where hydraulic analysis soft-
ware is combined with geographical information system
(GIS) software to develop a model that can support
research in WDN and its interdependency with other
infrastructures. The topography of the ‘virtual city’ is
defined in GIS, and is later used to generate the nodes’
elevations of the WDN model. To evaluate the perform-
ance of WDN, Möderl et al. () generated models
the using an algorithmic approach based on a modular

doi: 10.2166/ws.2011.121
 118 J. Muranho et al. | An EPANET extension for WDN models generation and pipe sizing
design system that was developed as a MATLAB-tool, in
which networks have a grid-based structure described
by matrices (see Sitzenfrei et al. (), for further
developments).
A file format that is frequently used to create WDN models
is the ‘.inp’ file, defined by Rossman () in EPANET.
EPANET is an open-source software that enables extended
period simulation of hydraulic and water quality behaviour
within pressurized pipe networks to be performed.
Although repositories of WDN models are of great inter-
est, this work presents a different approach to obtain models:
automatically building them with the desired dimensions and
characteristics. The main goal is to produce models in the fra-
mework of the modelling tool without involving other tools
(e.g., GIS, which requires expertise to set up). This type of
model is very useful for testing software tools (e.g., tools for
skeletonization, district metered areas (DMAs) design, resili-
ence testing, pipe sizing, technical performance evaluation,
calibration, linear solvers, and so on) or for WDN operator
training. The (synthetic) WDN models are generated in
such a way that their pipes do not cross over themselves
(the graph of the network is planar – for further details
about graph theory see (Gross & Yellen )). These
synthetic models have not only the desired number of junc-
tions, but also pipes with suitable diameters.
Designing a WDN involves selecting sizes for its com-
ponents in terms of their technical viability, considering
for this purpose various aspects such as hydraulic par-
ameters, demand patterns, reliability, water quality and
costs. Although WaterNetGen (Muranho et al. ) is not
a WDN design package, it can select pipe diameters in
order to satisfy certain pressure and velocity constraints.
WaterNetGen maintains the original EPANET’s user-
interface to preserve the user experience, although some
new work-oriented features have been introduced such as,
for example, node split, pipe split, link type replacement,
node type replacement, and editing of group properties of
selected pipes. Compatibility to the previous EPANET pro-
jects is assured at ‘.inp’ file level.
The next section presents the synthetic model gener-
ation process. Afterwards, the water demand loading
process and the pipe-sizing feature are described. Then,
some performance tests are shown and the conclusions
are presented.
Water Science & Technology: Water Supply | 12.1 | 2012
METHODS
Model generation
The model generation process proposed in this paper aims to
build synthetic models similar to real-world WDN models.
The models can represent WDN of small dimension (few
hydraulic elements – nodes/pipes) or huge systems composed
of several interconnected subsystems that supply residential dis-
tricts or industrial zones. The model generation process enables
the user to define the map dimensions, the number of clusters
(districts or zones), the number of junctions in each cluster, the
heuristics underlying the pipe generation, and the base elevation
and elevation change rate for node elevations generation.
The idea behind the creation of clusters is to mimic real-
world systems which can be organized in several DMAs.
Each cluster is composed of a user-defined number of junc-
tions, which are connected by pipes introduced by a user-
defined pipe generation method. The elevation of each
node is obtained from a ground generator procedure.
The pipe generation begins with the generation of a Mini-
mal Spanning Tree (MST) linking the cluster nodes, so every
node gets connected to its nearest node. This procedure is
based on the Prim () algorithm, with weights defined by
the Euclidian distance between nodes. Additional pipes are
added to the graph according to one of the following available
methods (K, X and Y are user-defined integer values; the dis-
tance between nodes is defined in geographic terms), and the
degree of a node is the number of pipes that start or end at
that node (i.e. the number of pipes connected to the node):
1. K-nearest Nodes. This algorithm finds the K-nearest neigh-
bours for every node. Some nodes may have a degree less
than K because there are no more neighbours to connect
(as the models correspond to a planar graph, the connec-
tions may not be allowed because they cross over
existing links, or all neighbours already have a degree K );
2. Random K-nearest Nodes. This method selects the K-
nearest nodes with a degree less than K, and for each
of those a new connection is introduced if a randomly
generated number in [0, 1] is less than 0.5;
3. Connect X from Y – after selecting the set of the Y nearest
nodes, this method chooses arbitrarily X of those nodes
to introduce new connections.
 119 J. Muranho et al. | An EPANET extension for WDN models generation and pipe sizing
The selection of a pipe generation method depends on
the intended use for the model. The number of loops and
branches is indirectly controlled by a user-defined percen-
tage of dead end nodes presented in the final model.
The clusters have the additional benefit of reducing the
cardinality of the search space for the process of finding
neighbours.
The elevations are generated taking into account the
junctions’ nearness. The computation of node elevations
starts with the assignment of the base elevation to a node,
and then progressively computes the elevations of its
linked nodes. The nodal elevation is computed based on
the average of the elevations of their neighbours plus a
random value in the interval [!change rate, þchange rate].
The idea behind this procedure is to introduce some noise
in an otherwise flat surface: large values of change rate
give rise to hilly surfaces and small values produce almost
flat surfaces.
The generation process
The user has to decide whether each cluster has a tank or
not. If so, it is created near the highest elevated junction,
and its elevation equal is to the elevation of this node plus
some user-defined value.
The generation of a network with N clusters starts with
the division of the map space in a two dimensional matrix
with N entries (or zones). Afterwards, the cluster elements
(junctions, tanks and pipes) are created and the clusters
are interconnected to produce a connected network. Each
cluster is linked to its neighbour’s clusters through their
nearest nodes. Finally, if the highest node of the WDN is
not connected to a tank, an additional tank is created and
connected to this node.
The user can manually add more elements to the model
(junctions, pipes, tanks, reservoirs, valves). With the
enhanced interface, the user can split nodes and pipes,
and change the node type (junction tank, or reservoir) or
the link type (pipe, valve or pump). The split of a pipe gen-
erates a new junction and a new pipe. The properties of the
old and the new elements are adjusted: lengths of both pipes
are set proportionally to the split point, and the elevation of
the new junction is also set proportionally. These new edit-
ing capabilities are especially useful in the context of
Water Science & Technology: Water Supply | 12.1 | 2012
changing elements from imported models, such as those
obtained from CAD drawings.
Water demand loading
Assigning water demand to nodes can be a tedious task,
especially for networks with a great number of nodes. To
mitigate this, WaterNetGen assigns water demand coeffi-
cients to pipes, and makes an automatic distribution of the
average water demand. This approach follows from guide-
lines used for demand loading in real-word WDN design.
The demand coefficients are used to transform the pipe
lengths into equivalent lengths that represent the density of
the inhabitants supplied by those pipes. For example, if
pipes p1 and p2 have the same length, and p1 and p2 have
demand coefficients equal to 0.5 and 1.0, respectively,
then pipe p2 water demand will be double that of pipe p1.
The water demand coefficient value is set in a new link prop-
erty of the model. The demand coefficient can be set on a
one-by-one basis or can be set at once to a set of selected
pipes.
The total average water demand must take into account
the intended use for the model. For example, for pipe sizing
purposes, the total water demand must include not only the
domestic water consumption, but also the water losses and
leaks, possibly combined with demand patterns that define
the way that water demand and water losses vary during
the day.
After setting up the demand coefficients, and introdu-
cing (user-defined) or computing (from the number of
inhabitants and the per capita demand) the total average
water demand, the nodal demands are automatically
handled by WaterNetGen – each pipe demand is assigned
to its start and end nodes (50% for each) as new demand cat-
egories. Figure 1 illustrates this procedure, considering a
population of 10,000 inhabitants with a per capita demand
equal to 200 L per day. The network has a total equivalent
pipe length of 4,050 m and must supply an average
demand of 23.148 L per second.
Each pipe has its own demand pattern (new link prop-
erty). Therefore, when the user changes a pipe demand
pattern, its associated node demand categories are also
updated. As usual, water demands for special users (e.g.,
schools, hospitals) must be assigned to the respective nodes.
 120 J. Muranho et al. | An EPANET extension for WDN models generation and pipe sizing
Figure 1 | Example network with 1 tank, 5 nodes and 7 pipes. (Pipe water demand
coefficients, equivalent lengths and demand categories.)
Pipe sizing
The pipe sizing is done on the top of a pipe catalogue that
lists the (commercial) available diameters. The pipe sizing
is an iterative procedure used to assign a commercial diam-
eter to each pipe in order to come up with a network design
that fulfills certain constraints (e.g., minimum diameter,
maximum velocity and minimum pressure). The process
starts with a set of diameters that are iteratively adjusted
towards the final solution.
Initial diameters
The starting point of the pipe sizing process is the initial
diameter assignment. Three approaches
implemented: (1) setting all diameters equal to some user-
defined value; (2) setting the diameters based on the mini-
mum allowed diameter; and (3) setting the diameters
based on the shortest path (Epp & Fowler ). In the
latter approach, the algorithm starts by identifying the short-
est paths from nodes to sources. The assignment of
diameters starts at the tree leafs and works backward until
all sources (i.e., tanks and reservoirs) are found, computing
the flow (i.e., sum of all downstream consumptions) and
fixing the diameter of each visited pipe. When the network
has more than one source, it is assumed that each one
Water Science & Technology: Water Supply | 12.1 | 2012
contributes with the same amount of water to the network.
The diameters of the remaining pipes (out of the tree) are set
equal to their minimum diameter.
Pipe diameter adjustment
The pipe diameters are changed based on one of two rules:
(1) the water velocity in the pipes must be below some maxi-
mum value; and (2) the pressure in the nodes must be above
some minimum value.
To adjust the diameters based on the maximum velocity,
the user must define a formula to evaluate the maximum
velocity allowed as a function of the pipe diameter: for
example V(D) ¼ 0.127D 0.4, where D stands for the pipe diam-
eter in millimetres and V is the maximum velocity allowed in
ms!1 (Sa Marques & Sousa ). In each step of the iterative
procedure the EPANET’s hydraulic solver is used to evaluate
the pipe flows. The maximum velocity for each pipe is
computed based on its diameter and the upstream flow
(remember that the upstream flow is equal to the EPANET
pipe flow plus 50% of the pipe water demand). The pipe diam-
eter is set to the smallest value that can carry the upstream
flow without exceeding the maximum velocity allowed.
For sizing purposes, the minimum nodal pressure must
be associated to the number of storeys of the buildings.
The minimum nodal pressure allowed is evaluated by an
user-editable formula: for example, P(N) ¼ 100 þ 40N,
where N is the number of storeys above ground, and P is
the minimum pressure allowed in KPa. The minimum
pressure rule is computationally harder to satisfy. In the cur-
rent approach it is implemented as an iterative procedure in
which each iteration comprises the following steps: (1) ident-
have been ify the node with the greatest minimum pressure constraint
violation, i.e., the critical node, and the time step within
which it occurs; (2) identify the shortest paths from the criti-
cal node (and time step) to all sources (i.e., tanks and
reservoirs) – (a variation of the Epp & Fowler () algor-
ithm is used to find the shortest path between two nodes. In
the current implementation, the search starts from the critical
node and stops when all the nodes have been visited. The
number of paths identified may be less than the number of
sources because the flow direction may invalidate some
paths. Nevertheless, there exists at least one path connecting
the critical node to one source); and (3) upscale the diameter
 121 J. Muranho et al. | An EPANET extension for WDN models generation and pipe sizing
of the pipe with the greatest unit head loss in each path. At
the beginning of each iteration the critical node is identified
and, if it is different from the previous iteration, the list of
paths is rebuilt.
The combination of these two rules (for velocity and
pressure) can quickly generate suitable pipe diameters.
Although in certain network configurations, mainly when
there is a great variation in nodal elevations, the pipe diam-
eters of the paths from the critical node tend to continuously
increase, the user can control this growing process through
the judicious use of the new EPANET pipe property ‘Allow
diameter changes’, so that the user can freeze the update
process for the selected set of pipes.
The user can also make use of the improved EPANET
interface to split pipes and nodes, and easily insert pressure
reduction valves to avoid or prevent the pressure exceeding
the maximum value allowed.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Figure 2 illustrates the generation of a synthetic model
with 1,000 junctions distributed by 6 clusters. Although
not strictly necessary, the user can change the parameters
Figure 2 | Water distribution network synthetic model (Clusters configuration, EPANET model and Ground surface).
Water Science & Technology: Water Supply | 12.1 | 2012
of the clusters and choose the pipe generation method.
The program automatically sets the number of junctions
per cluster but the user can change these values. By
default, the clusters have no tank. This network was gen-
erated using the method ‘Random K-nearest Nodes’ (see
Model Generation section above) with a K ¼ 2 for pipe
generation.
The program takes less than one minute to create the
new network model. As can be seen in Figure 2, there are
three tanks (one more than the user has set). As pre-
viously stated, WaterNetGen always guarantees one tank
near the highest elevation node (as cluster 6 has the high-
est elevation node and had no tank assigned, an
additional tank was introduced near the highest node –
the tank on the right in Figure 2). The ground surface
corresponding to the node elevations gives an idea of
the network topography. The assignment of a base
elevation and an elevation change rate per cluster
allows the creation of models with multiple hills and
valleys.
Table 1 shows some performance results for models gen-
erated with different numbers of junctions and clusters,
where the pipes were generated by the ‘Random K-nearest
Nodes’ method with K ¼ 2.
 122 J. Muranho et al. | An EPANET extension for WDN models generation and pipe sizing Water Science & Technology: Water Supply | 12.1 | 2012

Table 1 | Synthetic models with several configurations The use of clusters to represent, for example, metered
district areas, allows the construction of synthetic models
Junctions Clusters Pipes Generation time (s) Sizing time (s)
with features similar to real-world WDN models. The clus-
500 1 540 5 10
ters have the additional benefit of accelerating the model
1,000 1 1,078 26 17
construction (for the same number of junctions, models
1,000 2 1,075 13 17
with more clusters are generated faster).
5,000 2 5,397 809 13
Assigning the nodal water demand within WaterNetGen
5,000 4 5,397 237 9
is a relative easy task owing to the use of pipe demand coef-
5,000 10 5,418 137 97
ficients and pipe demand patterns, and the use of nodal
10,000 10 10,775 579 42
demand categories for its representation.
The sizing capability of WaterNetGen assigns suitable
In general, models with more junctions need more time. diameters to pipes such that the network satisfies certain
The sizing time includes the time to set up the initial diam- design constraints (minimum pressure and maximum
eters (all examples start with a small value for the diameter) velocity). The simplified design procedure used in Water-
and to obtain a final solution that satisfies the maximum vel- NetGen can be of great interest for the design of large WDN.
ocity and the minimum pressure constraints. The authors believe that this software can be very useful
In some cases it is not possible to find diameters that in building models to support research activities, as well as
satisfy both of these constraints. In such cases, user interven- in the development of WDN specific software.
tion is needed to add pumps (increase pressure), valves
(reduce pressure), or even to add additional tanks.
The use of clusters reduces substantially the execution ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
time of the model generation procedure for the same
number of junctions. This happens because the generation This work has been produced with the partial support of the
of the MST is much faster for clusters with fewer nodes. Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology,
The pipe generation methods included in WaterNetGen through POPH/FSE funding, under Doctoral Grant No.
are able to easily generate models with features close to SFRH/BD/48252/2008. The authors are grateful to the
real-world WDN models, with great variability (dimension, anonymous reviewers for their criticism and constructive
topology and topography) in a short amount of time. suggestions that undoubtedly helped to improve the paper.
Although WaterNetGen is not intended to be a WDN
design package, further research is currently being
conducted to compare its design results with those obtained AVAILABILITY
with optimization methods (Savic & Walters ; Cunha &
Sousa ; Maier et al. ; Geem ). WaterNetGen can be downloaded from www.dec.uc.pt/
~WaterNetGen.

CONCLUSIONS
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