Engineering students win top prize with Haestad Methods' WaterCAD?

WATERBURY, Conn., Sept. 5, 2000 — Dan Kranenburg, Rebecca MacIssac, and Dan Bauer of the University of Portland won the 2000 Parsons Brinckerhoff Student Design Project Competition at the ASCE Environmental and Water Resources Institute (EWRI) Conference in Minneapolis. The students used Haestad Methods' own WaterCAD model to look at the problem of low or negative water pressure in Burlington, Oregon.

Photo courtesy Haestad - Dan Dranenburg, Rebecca MacIssac and Dan Bauer of the University of Portland, winners of the 2000 Parsons Brinckerhoff Student Design Project Competition.

Their paper, titled "Analysis and Design to Correct Low Pressure in a Water Distribution System," described their analysis of alternatives for addressing low water pressure in the Burlington Water District. The district is located north of Portland, Oregon and purchases its water from the City of Portland. Fluctuating and low water pressure is a nuisance. The student's innovative alternative not only solved the fluctuating and low-pressure problems, but also increased the reliability of the system at a low cost.

The purpose of the students' study was to evaluate possible design solutions based on an analysis of the water district. This information was then used to create a computer generated (WaterCAD) hydraulic model. Scenarios were run on the computer model to determine the most acceptable alternative. Of the four alternatives, the addition of a second booster pump was chosen.

Jim Doane from the City of Portland Water Bureau was pleased with the students' analysis. "On the basis of the students' analysis, we now understand the complex dynamics of the situation that resulted in fluctuating water pressures, including many periods of low water pressure every day. We will be working with the water district and others on short and long term solutions to correct the low pressure problems."

The three students pursued this project while seniors in the Civil Engineering Program at the University of Portland. All three participated in the Air Force ROTC program and will be heading to Air Force assignments upon graduation.

Mark Kennedy, Ph.D., P.E., Associate Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Portland, Faculty Advisor said, "We selected WaterCAD for its ease of use. The students had used the student version in my Hydraulics class, so the professional version was a natural choice for the project. They were able to complete their project in time and with accurate results. The program let them spend time on analysis rather than having to take time learning the software. I'm proud of what they were able to accomplish using this model."

Dr. Tom Walski, Vice President Engineering and Model Development, Haestad Methods stated, "I was very impressed by the sound engineering logic that went into the application of modeling to a real study. Often students will be so happy they got the model to run, that they lose sight of some of the practical applications of the study. This group kept their focus."

Haestad Methods produces software for culvert design, water distribution, storm water and sanitary sewer modeling, water surface profiling, and inlet design. For more information visit the company's web site: www.haestad.com