Project
Maintaining the public water supply system serving the cities of Taubaté, Tremembé, and Caçapava in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, Sabesp sought to improve flow and optimize water supply to the cities’ 650,000 inhabitants. This BRL 3.75 million project aimed to increase the flow rate for Taubaté by 63 percent and the water production to all three cities by 58 percent. To determine an effective solution without reducing service pressure or placing extra load on the pumping network, Sabesp needed to use flexible, accurate hydraulic modeling and analysis software.
Solution
Sabesp used WaterGEMS and HAMMER to analyze the feasibility of increasing water supply to all three cities and water flow to Taubaté from 950 liters per second to 1,500 liters per second by collecting water from the Paraiba do Sul River. Using Bentley hydraulic modeling software to input data, evaluate different scenarios, and simulate various alternatives, Sabesp determined that implementing a network booster would increase water flow without reducing service pressure or placing additional stress on the existing pumping system.
Outcome
Sabesp completed the technical feasibility project in 15 days, and, when compared to the 58 percent increase in flow, yielded a daily revenue increase of BRL 14.25 million for an immediate ROI of 3.8 times the amount invested. The speed and accuracy of the software significantly reduced project delivery time. Working in a simulated environment facilitated optioneering, saved exorbitant equipment and installation costs, and minimized risk.
Software
Sabesp used HAMMER and WaterGEMS to model and analyze options for increasing water flow and supply for the 650,000 residents among three cities. The hydraulic simulation software provided Sabesp a new alternative to increase flow without reducing service pressure by implementing a network booster. Bentley software enabled Sabesp to determine a reliable, credible, and cost-effective solution. Automating prior manual tasks, such as mathematical calculations, ensured accuracy, minimized risk, reduced costs, and accelerated project delivery.