Addressing water challenges now is essential to avoiding significant future issues, says water solutions provider Modena Design Centres, adding that data and digitalisation are key to understanding and addressing these challenges.

“While many consider this a governmental issue, civil practitioners and participants in the construction market also play a crucial role,” states Modena digital twin consultant Simon Bromfield.

He explains that Modena leverages its partnership with American multinational software corporation Autodesk to use its comprehensive set of tools, which covers “every aspect of a water network”, from the preconceptual design phase through to the operational phase.

He elaborates, noting that Modena makes use of Autodesk’s water solutions and scanning tools, such as Faro, to model and visualise data in real time.

Additionally, the company uses data-driven tools, such as the InfoDrainage tool provided by Autodesk, to reduce the time required to deliver models from weeks to days.

According to Bromfield, the tools are designed to address a range of issues encountered by customers, while Autodesk continually adapts its software to meet local requirements and challenges.

Modena adds value by offering development and consulting services to create custom software and integrations, helping customers to overcome challenges faced by localisation.

To this end, the company has developed a support model to help customers understand and implement the correct tools and services to meet specific needs, acting as a strategic partner in shaping customer delivery and service offerings.

To further enable informed decision-making, Modena has partnered with geographic information system providers, such as the Environmental Systems Research Institute to support smart design choices by providing data on weather patterns, flow rates, rainfall and more.

Digital Twin Approach

Bromfield highlights that data use is crucial to reduce the impact of flooding. He explains that by using data, developers and government agencies are able to make better-informed decisions.

He points out that Modena actively collaborates with several government stakeholders to ensure that upcoming water masterplans incorporate the implementation of water digital twins.

“We advocate for the use of digital twins for water infrastructure, to enable better planning and execution based on collected data. Although many government agencies possess relevant data, they often lack the technology platforms needed to gain insights and use this data effectively,” states Bromfield.

Consequently, Modena collaborates with international vendor partners to implement the latest technologies for its African customers. Bromfield adds that the company also provides vendors to assist with product service challenges and to help improve on its solutions.

Case in Point

At the Big 5 Construct South Africa 2024 event, which took place from June 4 to 6, in a talk conducted by Bromfield on the first day, he provided an example of a customer that did work to model the Klip river, in the south of Johannesburg.

He stated that, using the current technologies, it would have taken the customer a month to complete a model of the Klip river from where it rises in Soweto, Johannesburg to where it flows into the Vaal dam.

Bromfield explained that by using the tools provided by its partnership with Autodesk, Modena was able to complete a full model of the Klip river within four days.

He notes that water is crucial to the long-term development of countries and businesses, as highlighted by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and that “long-term investments are necessary to ensure water security”.

He therefore invited the local water industry to engage with Modena to start their journey towards sustainable water management, to aid the realisation of the SDGs.