Over 30 years of hydraulic modeling experience using KYPIPE, Cybernet, and Infowater (Innovyze) software. Mr. Tobon has developed hydraulic models up to 75,000 pipes for both water and wastewater systems, including pump and booster stations.
Experienced in model development from GIS databases, calibration based on field test data, capital planning, and evaluation. This experience includes steady state as well as extended period simulation of multiple water distribution systems and the generation of various scenarios to account for hourly demand patterns, seasonal variations as well as fire flow demands. For wastewater systems experience includes static as well as extended period simulation of multiple wastewater pump station and force main systems, incorporating knowledge on the simulation of collection area flow patterns, pump operations, and analysis of resultant force main pressures, flows and pump station cycling.
The following is a brief list of water and wastewater hydraulic modeling projects:
Today Tobon Engineering continues to be involved with the development and implementation of water and wastewater hydraulic models for many clients.
Mr. Tobon’s hydraulic modeling expertise has evolved into a technical advisory and expert role in particular for operational parameters such as extended period simulations and water age scenarios. Tobon Engineering is a recognized leader in distribution system modeling and planning, specializing in water master planning, demand forecasting, model calibration, operations evaluation and optimization, and water quality modeling applications. The goals for the use of hydraulic models are to identify hydraulic deficiencies and to explore the benefits and costs of various solutions.

A few key and important hydraulic modeling projects are presented below which represents the vast experience of Tobon Engineering.
Palm Beach County Water Utilities Reclaimed Water Master Plan-Hydraulic Modeling
Palm Beach County Water Utilities requested that Brown and Caldwell and its subconsultant Tobon Engineering create a Reclaimed Water Master Plan. The primary goal of the Master Plan was to document and evaluate the reclaimed water system and provide recommendations for future infrastructure and treatment improvements. Another aspect was the integration of the Palm Beach and Broward Counties reclaimed water systems for the delivery of reclaimed water to customers in the southern portion of the County. Tobon Engineering served as the hydraulic model developer, master plan technical reviewer and developer of complex modeling scenarios. As a result of the project, the Palm Beach Reclaimed water model was combined with the Broward Reclaimed water model to create a comprehensive cohesive model suitable for long term analysis and planning. This allowed Palm Beach County to optimize capital investments for delivery of reclaimed water service.

Palm Beach County Water Utilities Hydraulic Water Model
Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department contracted with Chen Moore and Associates (CMA) to update the existing 35,000 pipe potable water hydraulic model. The update included the most current physical and operating conditions, planning level of service adequacy, and facilities evaluation. CMA requested Tobon Engineering serve as the technical advisor and reviewer for this important project. Mr. Tobon was responsible for the development of the original County hydraulic water model and served as invaluable resource that allowed the update to be completed in an organized efficient manner.
The objectives of the project included:
- Evaluate water demands to understand potable water system behavior and analyzed the system under planning periods 2020, 2025, 2030, and 2035.
- Complete and document updates in the hydraulic model based on current physical, operational and water demand conditions.
- Perform calibration of the hydraulic model to accurately reflect existing potable water system conditions.
- Develop a comprehensive set of scenarios and perform a hydraulic model evaluation based on model results.
- Complete a hydraulic model evaluation under several special conditions such as large user demands, water source tracing, and water treatment plants out of service.
- Perform a valve criticality assessment to identify the level of impact on the potable water system whenvalves fail to operate and provide location of additional valves.
The final report which was produced under the direction of Mr. Tobon summarized existing potable water system facilities, water demands, hydraulic model calibration efforts, summarized by hydraulic model results and special evaluation including valve criticality assessment.
The Palm Beach County Hydraulic Water Model is complex and contains over 35,000 pipes, 4 water treatment plants, 25 ground storage tanks, 40 high service pumps with controls and is used for capital planning and water quality evaluations.
Seacoast Utility Authority Hydraulic Water Model
Tobon Engineering developed and calibrated the Seacoast Utility Authority 15 MGD water system hydraulic model. The hydraulic model (Infowater Software) was developed from GIS data of the water system and asbuilts of the pumping facilities. The model included the most current physical and operating conditions, planning level of service adequacy, and facilities evaluation. For the hydraulic water model, above ground water storage tanks were modeled using data shown in as-built drawings and obtained from the SCADA system. Characteristics such as level and diameter were included in the model to accurately reflect tank characteristics. The final report summarized existing potable water system facilities, water demands, hydraulic model calibration efforts, hydraulic model results and evaluation. The hydraulic model was developed as extended period simulation format and was used to determine future capital projects and operating parameters.


Avenir and Ancient Tree Hydraulic Water and Wastewater Models
Tobon Engineering developed both the water and wastewater hydraulic models for the Avenir and Ancient Tree Developments located in Palm Beach County. The hydraulic water model was used for sizing of infrastructure based on fire flow demands; water age analysis was also carried out to determine water quality impacts caused by incremental demands during construction. The hydraulic wastewater model was developed based on anticipated demands and used to size forcemains and pump stations during various phases of customer demands.
The objectives of the project included:
- Evaluate water demands to understand potable water system behavior and analyzed the system under various phases and buildout conditions.
- Complete and document updates in the hydraulic model based on current physical, operational and water and wastewater demand conditions.
- Develop a comprehensive set of scenarios and perform a hydraulic model evaluation based on model results.
Completed a hydraulic model evaluation under several special conditions such as water age, and fire flow conditions.

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