MWH Soft Releases InfoSWMM RAM, Best-in-Class Solution for Comprehensive Overland Urban Flood Modeling

Revolutionary Service Risk Assessment and Management Module Gives Wastewater Utilities Unprecedented Power to Accurately Estimate the Extent and Consequences of Sewer Overflows and Flooding

Broomfield, Colorado USA, May 17, 2006 - In its ongoing quest to equip the global wastewater industry with the world's most comprehensive and innovative GIS-centric modeling and design solutions, MWH Soft today announced the release of InfoSWMM Risk Assessment Manager (RAM). The new InfoSWMM Suite extension gives users expanded power and flexibility in estimating the extent and consequences of overflows and flooding on their wastewater and stormwater collection systems, and in formulating and evaluating urban sewer and small stream emergency response, recovery, remediation and operations plans and service upgrades.

The full-featured InfoSWMM urban drainage network analysis and design program delivers the highest rate of return in the industry. The program addresses all operations of a typical sewer system - from analysis and design to management functions like water quality assessment, pollution prediction, urban flooding, real-time control and record keeping - in a single, fully integrated geoengineering environment. InfoSWMM gives users unprecedented strength in managing urban runoff and wet weather water quality problems in combined, sanitary and storm sewers, optimizing BMP and LID designs, and meeting SSO and CSO regulations.

The extremely powerful program can be used to model the entire land phase of the hydrologic cycle as applied to urban stormwater and wastewater collection systems, or perform single event or long-term (continuous) rainfall-runoff simulations accounting for climate, soil, land use, and topographic conditions of the watershed. InfoSWMM can even predict runoff quality - including buildup and washoff of pollutants from primarily urban watersheds.

The software incorporates full dynamic solution modeling of backwater effects and reverse flow, open channels, trunk sewers, storage and treatment units, pumps and complex hydraulic structures like weirs and orifices. An advanced real-time control scheme makes it easier to optimize storage and operational procedures. Powerful graphics and reporting tools make these sophisticated modeling applications fast and easy, regardless of users' technical expertise.

InfoSWMM also supports a variety of specialized treatment plant control devices and river profiles. An Integrated Catchment Management solution allows users to model the sewer system, the receiving water and the wastewater treatment plant in a unified manner.

The new InfoSWMM RAM extension reflects MWH Soft's time-honored practice of continually adding value to its world-class software and bringing critical new design capabilities to the industry. The software is designed to help wastewater utilities reduce their sewer infrastructure vulnerability and enhance their ability to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, abnormal service disruptions and emergencies. It leverages the power of GIS and advanced graph-theory and computational geometry with inverse distance weighting (IDW) to very accurately represent flood depths and area of spread across the ground model. It quickly determines the extent of sewer overflows and flooding (volume and reach), calculates population at risk, pinpoints sources overloading the system, locates system capacity limitations and blockages, and estimates property damage costs. Overland flow pathways can also be quickly examined, showing the lateral routes and spreading of floodwaters.

Unlike trivial and inaccurate "compartmentalized" procedures, InfoSWMM RAM advanced geospatial analysis technology will result in the most accurate and representative risk assessment modeling. RAM can be effectively used to identify viable solutions before an incident or disaster occurs, or to assist in responding should it occur. These capabilities will greatly assist wastewater utilities in planning and designing reliable systems and emergency response programs, and forging closer ties with their customers.

Other InfoSWMM Suite modules include:

Dry Weather Flow Allocator extension: automatically computes and assigns wastewater loads generated by various customer categories, based on land use, population, or meter data.

Subcatchment Manager extension: automatically defines all subcatchments and calculates their hydrologic parameters.

Optimal Calibration extension: automatically adjusts sewer parameters to match any combination of flow, depth, and velocity measurements. Parameters can include any combination of subcatchment, soil, aquifer, RDII, and conduit properties.

Optimal Design extension: automatically determines the most cost-effective combination of pipe slope and size, storage volume, pumping capacity and new piping to best convey sewer flows without surcharging, overflows, flooding, and backups.

"Just over a year ago, we introduced the world to InfoSWMM Suite," said Paul F. Boulos, Ph.D, President and Chief Operating Officer of MWH Soft. "Our goal was to provide the wastewater industry with all the analysis, design, validation, data management, and optimization tools they need in one complete, easy to use and affordable package. In adding yet another vanguard complementary module to the program, we are moving to assist wastewater utilities in determining the most cost-effective way to keep their systems operating efficiently well into the future while safeguarding against adverse health and environmental effects. This vital solution will make an immediate difference in people's lives, and we are especially pleased to bring it to the market."

Pricing and Availability 

The new InfoSWMM RAM extension is now available worldwide by subscription to the Platinum Program. Subscription members can immediately download the new extension free of charge directly from www.mwhsoft.com. The MWH Soft Subscription Program is a friendly customer support and software maintenance program that ensures the longevity and usefulness of MWH Soft products. It gives subscribers instant access to new functionality as it is developed, along with automatic software updates and upgrades. MWH Soft product extensions are available only through the Platinum Program. 

About MWH Soft 

MWH Soft is a leading global provider of technical and infrastructure software and professional solutions designed to meet the technological needs of utilities, government industries, and engineering organizations worldwide. Its clients include the majority of the largest North American cities and ENR top design firms. The multifaceted, state-of-the-art CAD and GIS enabled products created by MWH Soft empower thousands of engineers across the globe to competitively manage, design, and operate highly efficient and reliable infrastructure systems. 

www.mwhsoft.com

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