original workshop announcement
program
list of attendees
course evaluation
some photos

workshop announcement

SWMM SA 2000 

12 - 14 July 2000 

Become proficient with a suite of major modelling software packages that will enhance your stormwater drainage and sanitary system modelling and design. In three days of hands-on workshops, you can learn the USEPA’s Stormwater Management Model (SWMM 4.4), PCSWMM 2000, and PCSWMM GIS 2000. Gain expertise in this next generation of modelling software tools, and evaluate how this scaleable, integrated and open tool set can improve your current modelling work.

The workshops will appeal to consultants, government and research engineers, as well as planners and scientists interested in any of: stormwater drainage, sanitary systems, or receiving water impacts. Whether you are currently using SWMM, or you are evaluating stormwater management models, this workshop has the information and technical content you need to streamline your modelling decision-making efforts. Experienced users will benefit from the efficient introduction to the new features of the current software.

Stormwater management with SWMM4.4

SWMM is a comprehensive model for continuous and single-event simulation of runoff quantity and quality. It applies to all hydrologic, hydraulic and water-quality aspects of urban drainage, including storm sewers, sanitary sewers and open channels flow. SWMM can cope with dynamic storms, snowmelt, pollutant build-up, wash-off and transport, infiltration/inflow, dynamic routing and surcharging in sewer networks, storage and ponding, storage treatment and diversion, pumping stations, CSOs, diversions, bridges... and much more. Established and continuously developed over 29 years, SWMM has been widely adopted by local authorities around the world to enable them to meet new environmental standards. SWMM is simple to run interactively, and can be as effectively used on small as on large studies.

PCSWMM 2000 is the upcoming release of the 32-bit graphical decision support system for SWMM, providing a comprehensive array of file management, input creation, output interpretation, sensitivity, calibration, error analysis, help system and reference and reporting tools for stormwater modellers. Continuously developed and supported since 1984, PCSWMM has recently taken a fresh approach to provide an unprecedented level of flexibility and power, both simplifying and extending the SWMM environment. Review model results through a variety of dynamic playback views and graphical and statistical analysis tools. Perform sensitivity, calibration and error analyses easily with built-in wizards. Analyse storm velocity dynamics, and graphically select design storms from datalogger files. With extensive online help, video tutorials, searchable stormwater bibliography, web integration and BMP database, PCSWMM goes beyond the current crop of modelling tools to ensure users have a deep knowledge of the underlying model processes, increasing user competence and confidence.

The introduction of PCSWMM GIS 2000 brings both stand-alone GIS functionality to the USEPA Stormwater Management Model (SWMM4.4), and provides a powerful, flexible link to existing GIS software and facilities management databases. In its stand-alone capacity, PCSWMM GIS provides a graphical plan view editor tool for quickly drawing or editing the physical entities of a model (conduits, nodes and sub-catchments) - in either schematic form or using "real-world" coordinates. Multiple background layers can be displayed, with a comprehensive array of raster and vector file formats supported, including ArcView SHP files, Autocad DXF and DWG files, MapInfo, and Microstation, TIFF, JPG, BMP and many more.

Linkages to existing GIS and/or FM/AM/CAD databases are easily performed with full SQL query support. Attributes are easily edited and tools are provided for the automatic or manual reduction of model complexity (entity aggregation). PCSWMM GIS features intelligent connectivity checking and reporting and the ability to determine entity attributes from the chosen coordinate system (conduit length/sub-catchment area). Runoff, Transport, and Extran Modules are supported. Entities and/or attributes can be imported from many sources, including existing SWMM files, many database formats, spreadsheets and delimited text files.

PCSWMM GIS also features graphical results analysis tools, including dynamic playback of Extran node depths and linkages to other PCSWMM output visualisation tools (e.g. the Dynamic Hydraulic Gradeline tool). Even if you don’t have access to existing GIS/AM/FM databases, PCSWMM GIS can provide the graphical tools to create/edit your model’s conduit/nodes and sub-catchments, dynamically view the model results, and extensively query your data - essentially a full-blown stand-alone GIS without the normal price tag.

The workshop will run from 8:30 am to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, 12 July to Friday, 14 July 2000. Lectures will be interspersed with hands-on exercises allowing you to explore the different aspects of the programs. The combination of computing in pairs, a relaxed atmosphere, and plenty of personal instruction will help speed your learning.

For those new to SWMM, this workshop provides instruction and exercises in the use of the model, together with guidance in the precepts of stormwater modelling to meet today’s requirements. PCSWMM will be used to speed learning and program execution and to enhance the understanding of the underlying processes. All participants will develop the necessary skill and confidence to explore and use the SWMM model effectively. In this introductory seminar emphasis will be given to the Runoff module and to quantity oriented modelling, and will include:

• a review of stormwater management models and modelling procedures including: discretisation, sensitivity, calibration, and error analysis;
• a look at file management and the structure of SWMM;
• an introduction to all SWMM hydrology and hydraulics modules;
• runoff quantity-oriented event modelling including processes, data requirements, model output, and hands-on exercises;
• Extran surcharge event modelling including theory, limitations, applications, hands-on exercises; and
• a review of the features of SWMM  

Day Two: Advanced use of SWMM/PCSWMM 

Day Two will continue covering the modules of the program, with emphasis on continuous water quality modelling. Again PCSWMM will be used to speed learning and program execution. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of SWMM and its application in today’s storm and sanitary water design projects. Lectures and computing exercises will:

• review continuous modelling;
• review water quality modelling;
• look at the Rain, Temperature, Combine and Statistics modules;
• examine quantity/quality aspects in the Runoff, Transport and Storage/Treatment modules, including processes, data requirements, and model output;
• show how to perform sensitivity, calibration and error analyses for continuous water quality modelling;
• guide delegates through continuous and water quality exercises; and
• review some of the advanced features of SWMM  

Day Three: PCSWMM decision support and GIS 

Day Three will explore the more advanced components of the PCSWMM decision support system, and review the current state-of-practice for GIS integration with stormwater management modelling. Users will become proficient at GIS integration, using the new comprehensive PCSWMM GIS software. Lectures and computing exercises will cover:

• automatic sensitivity, calibration and error analysis;
• precipitation data management and acquisition;
• storm dynamics analysis and its importance to modelling;
• issues in GIS database integration;
• GIS/AM/FM data importation;
• GIS entity aggregation;
• infiltration BMP design;
• PCSWMM customisation with third party tools; and
• Network-wide team management and web integration. 

The Instructor 

William James, D.Sc., Ph.D., P.Eng, Professor of Engineering at Guelph University and CEO of Computational Hydraulics International (CHI), is an internationally recognised authority on stormwater runoff, with over 25 years experience in research, teaching, and consulting to consultants and government agencies. He has published 15 books, over 200 technical papers, and has presented professional courses throughout the world. Dr. James has supported SWMM from its earliest distribution, developing the first PC version in 1984. For more information on Dr. James, see: http://www.eos.uoguelph.ca/webfiles/james/ 

The workshop will be held in the undergraduate computer laboratories on the 5^th floor of the Menzies building (Red Lab or Red Lab Extension) on the Upper Campus of the University of Cape Town. The Upper Campus of UCT is situated on the slopes of Devil's Peak next to the northern extension of Rhodes Drive immediately south of its intersection with the beginning of National Road N2. 

Accommodation 

There are many hotels and bread 'n breakfast establishments within reach of the university.

Limited accommodation at a reasonable rate may also be available in the student residents. For more information on this go to http://www.uct.ac.za/ and follow the links to holiday accommodation. Alternatively, write to or call: Vacation Accommodation Office, University of Cape Town, Private Bag Rondebosch, 7701 South Africa. Phone: (021) 650-3001/2, Fax: (021) 650-4014, Email: shovac@protem.uct.ac.za for further information in this regard.

 To register

Complete the attached registration form, indicate whether you wish to purchase PCSWMM 2000 and/or any of the manuals, calculate the fees owing, make out a cheque to "CEE Programme" and mail to: The Course Administrator, CEE, University of Cape Town, PO Box 34138, Rhodes Gift, 7707 SOUTH AFRICA. 

The closing date for registration is Friday 30^th June 2000.

The fee for the full three days is R1,900.00.

Delegates will receive the course books: Stormwater Management Modelling - A Conceptual Approach (200pp) and Rules for Responsible Modelling (150pp), and a set of two SWMM manuals (ca. 300pp each). All attendees will also have the opportunity to purchase for half-price either the PCSWMM 2000 program (R500), or the two program package of PCSWMM 2000 and PCSWMM GIS 2000 (R1,000.00) programs. The SWMM program (versions 4.3, 4.31 and 4.4) are all freely downloadable from the chi website (http://www.chi.on.ca/swmm.html).

No meals are included in the fee, but numerous cafeterias and hot dog stands are within a two-minute walk of the workshop venue.

Contact Ms Nanette Pickover at Tel: (021) 650 2600, Fax: (021) 650 3240 or Email: nanette@eng.uct.ac.za 

program

Computational Hydraulics International

and UCT Civil Engineering Dept

SWMM Workshop

July 12-14, 2000

 

Wednesday July 12, 2000.

Conceptual workbook & hydrology manual

 

8:30 Lecture room

·   Welcome

·   Review of stormwater management models and introduction to modelling procedures including discretization, sensitivity, calibration, error analysis and continuous modeling.

·   Introduction to file management and structure of SWMM.

·   Rain, Temperature, Combine and Statistics modules and Visual TSM.

10:45 Coffee break

11:00 Computer lab

·   Hands-on introduction to SWMM, PCSWMM and visual time-series management including DETFLOOD interfacing.

12:00 Lunch

13:00 Lecture room

·   Introduction to SWMM hydrology module. Runoff quantity and quality, event and continuous modelling including processes, data requirements, model output and interpretation.

14:45 Coffee break

15:00 Computer lab

·   Hands-on event and continuous water quantity and quality exercises.

16:30 End

 

Thursday, July 13, 2000

Hydraulics manual

 

8:30 Lecture room

·   Quantity/quality aspects in Transport and Storage/Treatment modules; processes, data requirements, model output and interpretation.

·   Design for no net-increase in runoff. 

10:45 Coffee break

11:00 Computer lab

·   Hands-on Transport and Storage/Treatment exercises including zero increased runoff application.

12:00 Lunch

13:00 Lecture room

·   Extran surcharge event modelling including theory and limitations.

·   Major-minor design. 

14:45 Coffee break

15:00 Computer Lab

·   Hands-on Extran exercises and output interpretation. Application of dual drainage.

16:30 End

 

Friday, July 14, 2000

Rules booklet

 

8:30 Lecture room

·   In-depth discussion of sensitivity analysis, calibration and error analysis for continuous water quality modeling.

·   Precipitation data management and acquisition. Storm dynamics analysis and its importance to modeling.

10:45 Coffee break

11:00 Computer lab

·   Hands-on sensitivity analysis, calibration, and error analysis exercises.

12:00 Lunch

13:00 Lecture room

·   GIS integration to stormwater modelling overview.

·   Infiltration BMP design.

13:45 Coffee break

14:00 Computer lab

·   Hands-on GIS exercises including stand-alone applications, GIS/AM/FM data integration, entity aggregation.

·   Hands-on permeable paver design.

·   Bibliographic database.

·   Discussion of third-party tool support, networking and web integration.

·   Course wrap-up.

16:00 End

list of attendees

course evaluation

SWMM WORKSHOP COMMENTS

(general comments - detailed suggestions are collected elsewhere for action)

Extremely good introduction to SWMM modelling.  Very satisfied.

I am very excited about starting to use SWMM.  I do feel that I will need to learn a lot more about the package to be able to use it responsibly.

Time was right, move the breaks (1/2 hour too long!), such sense of humor.  Carry on – good luck.  I’m sure you put a lot of your precious time in creating your home page.  Great and thanks for some good hints!  I hope I come to the States/Canada after the South-African Studies.  I enjoyed your workshop very much and hope it will be recognized and honoured in Germany at my home University.

Great software, great course but.. will definitely need more hands-on sessions.  Starting projects from ground zero and working to higher complexity levels will be great (also more time consuming) but necessary nonetheless.  Thanks

Possibly a large worked example taking typical raw rainfall data (from the local country) and a hypothetical local catchment and go through a typical process from beginning to end.  Many thanks for a good course and a great value for money program.

Maybe in general it should be 5 days so that more can be absorbed.

I think the course was well done and presented.  Thanks.

I found the course thought – provoking and enjoyable, although more time could have been spent on practical applications (S.A. related?).  Thank you.

All in all a most useful and interesting course. A little less time could have been spent on the detail of the SWMM input file variables.  A form based data input wizard for PC SWMM would be useful.

I think it was great!

A good introduction the software and theory.  Pity that one can’t cover everything at a pace which “non engineers” can follow.  I will have to try to establish the applicability of some of the modules back home.  You may expect some really basic queries on your website/E-mail.

This course has helped gain an understanding of SW modeling that will help me in my Hon. Thesis.  I am interested to see the extensive opportunities in this field.  I will consider this as a career path.

More hands-on time designing a model from scratch or from a GIS map than running all modules on this unique network.  i.e.  maybe a half-day solo project for the students.  Enjoyed ancedotes – good humour!

This is obviously a very powerful piece of software that will require a fair amount of self-study and practice to be able to implement with confidence.  I am worried about being able to source accurate precipitation data.  A well presented program.  Well done.

Found the course extremely interesting and useful.  Would however like to find our more about the possibilities for pollution modelling and linking/usage with epanet/wasp etc.

A very pleasant atmosphere.

A very worthwhile course.  I enjoyed the philosophical background.

Couldn’t go into too much detail, but I did enjoy the course, it was well prepared, well presented, the interaction was appreciated and most enlightening.  Generally you guys have done a very good job, well done.  I wouldn’t mind and think symposiums of this nature should be held annually.

 It was a privilege to have attended a course presented by yourselves.  All the best and keep up the good work.

Very well run.  Great presentations.  An excellent tool.

some photos

hands-on exercises, computer lab	hands-on lab, far corner	hands-on lab, detail	hands-on lab, another	class room	Rob James setting up