GIS-Based Approach to Sewer System Design

Abstract

In planning and design of sewer networks, most decisions are spatially dependent because of the right-of-way considerations and the desire to have flow by gravity. The geographic information system- (GIS-) based approach takes advantage of the spatial analysis capability of GIS in combination with a sewer design program to develop an integrated procedure for the design of sewer systems. The program that was developed uses the user specified manholes' locations to generate the sewer network. The GIS is used to analyze the area's topography, surface features, and street network to delineate subwatersheds, to locate pump stations, and to determine the path for the force main. The program was successfully demonstrated for two areas in the town of Blacksburg, Va. In comparison with a traditionally designed path for the force main, the developed approach results in a better design. It also was possible to design a complete sewer network with minimal human intervention.