Data Exchange

This feature allows users to merge new GIS data into a model that has already been built, rather than requiring them to start over. This is essential for updating a model with new subdivisions, system expansions, or corrected asset information from the utility's GIS. The tool provides a seamless workflow for keeping the hydraulic model synchronized with the latest system data.

To ensure interoperability and ease the transition for users of other platforms, the application will include importers for common hydraulic modeling software formats. This will allow users to directly open and convert models created in alternative commerical software.

While the platform provides a global Digital Terrain Model (DTM) for automatic elevation assignment, this feature allows users to import their own DTM files for enhanced accuracy. By using their own more precise or localized elevation data, users can override the default global DTM to better reflect specific project site conditions. This provides the flexibility to work with the highest quality elevation data available for any given area.

While the application works natively with geographic coordinates (WGS84 latitude and longitude), it will support user-selected projected coordinate systems for display, editing, and export. Users will be able to import model data defined in any supported projection, which will be converted internally to WGS84, while still viewing and working with coordinates in their preferred local projection. Model data and results can then be exported back into that same projection for easy integration with external GIS or CAD environments. This ensures consistency between modeling work in epanet-js and the spatial datasets used by utilities in their existing GIS workflows.

In addition to supporting online web mapping services for basemaps, users will be able to load their own locally stored map files. The application will support common raster (e.g., aerial imagery) and vector (e.g., parcel data) formats to be used as background layers. This provides flexibility for users who need to work offline or who have specific, high-resolution basemaps for their service area.

The model building tools will directly support the import of CAD data in DXF format, in addition to standard GIS files. This allows engineers to use engineering drawings as a basis for constructing the network model, enabling them to trace layouts and accurately place nodes and pipes. This provides flexibility for users whose primary source data is in a CAD format.