Strategic Framework for Water Model Development

The strategic framework is a generic process to guide and record model development for three water (water, stormwater and wastewater) models for the region. The process is deliberately non-prescriptive and high level to enable framework documents to be prepared by others. The framework is to provide models that are “fit for purpose” or “appropriate for their intended use”, support model development, and provide standardisation across Councils to promote efficiencies. The development of model stocktakes, software platforms, model objectives, specifications, management plans, and implementation plans forms part of the process.

Significant time, experience and money are invested in the development of models and the strategy is to ensure that models achieve the required objectives and that their integrity is maintained in the future. A number of models already exist and therefore the strategy focuses on the on-going management and development of existing models. The paper is to include lessons learned, challenges and strategy development.

The strategy is to ensure consistency between models, ensure models are defensible, allow for clear planning and budgeting, provide for economies in model development, ensure that key elements are not overlooked and build upon existing knowledge. As a living document the strategy will be improved and developed over time.

The framework is being implemented by Capacity Infrastructure Services Ltd (Capacity). Capacity is a CCO (council controlled organisation) that provides infrastructure services including three water modelling for Wellington City, Hutt City and Upper Hutt City Councils. Assets for the Councils comprise approximately 2,000km of water, 1,850km of wastewater and 1,400km of stormwater pipelines servicing approximately 350,000 people. All three Councils have developed hydraulic models for various purposes, standards and on various software platforms over the years. Many models have been further developed for applications outside their original intended use. Capacity has embarked on careful and structured model development and management required to maintain model integrity and confidence.