Marching towards a Digital Twin: How GLWA Built a 3D Model of Its WRRF Complex Underground Utilities

The Great Lake Water Authority (GLWA) owns and operates a 1,700 million gallons per day (MGD) water resource recovery facility (WRRF). As one of the largest single WRRF sites in the US, it has a complex yard piping network of gravity, pressurized pipes, and electrical systems. To support its ongoing asset management program, GLWA commissioned the implementation of a multi-step approach to address their needs for locating and creating a reliable geographical database of these assets. All collected data is stored in georeferenced 3D and 2D models and associated databases. Main attributes, such as pipe size, material, age, and construction project, were stored in the 3D model database to better fit planning and design project needs. A more accessible and lighter 2D GIS model of the system was developed for the day-to-day operation and decision-making processes, including critical features such as operating pressure, valve opening direction, photos, and ownership. These georeferenced models and data sets help the facility owner, consultants, and contractors better understand the system; plan accurately; track condition reliably; and improve site safety. This paper covers the multi-step process of collecting, organizing, and validating information, along with challenges encountered and best practices implemented.