City of Houston Selects LAN to Model Water System

The City of Houston has selected planning, engineering, and program management firm Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN) to develop an all-pipes hydraulic model of its water system.

As a regional water provider, the City delivers surface water through a complex and dynamic transmission and distribution network that includes approximately 7,500 miles of interconnected pipes of various sizes and operating at different pressures. The City’s water infrastructure planning staff addresses growing water demands arising from regional growth and supports day-to-day utility operations. To better plan a sustainable and efficient water system, as well as support operations in delivering safe water with superior customer service, the City requires a well-calibrated model to stay ahead of the curve.

Specifically, the water system model will help the City’s planning staff to:

• Identify improvements within the system to meet future growth
• Identify ways to provide water to neighboring entities
• Support the City’s operations and maintenance staff
• Perform emergency shutdown analyses

“The model will enable the City to address critical planning and operational issues with maximum effectiveness, optimize its capital improvement programs, and improve customer service,” said Melissa Mack, P.E., LAN’s senior associate, and team leader.

LAN’s scope of services will include water system model building, model calibration, master planning, utility operation support, and onsite staffing. The firm will also provide training for City staff to operate and maintain the hydraulic model.