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Import EPANET Data

Learn how to import EPANET v2 networks into InfoWorks WS Pro.

First, you need to export your EPANET model as text files. InfoWorks WS Pro does not import the binary format (.NET) files.

The EPANET software package simulates hydraulic and water quality behaviour in pressurised pipe networks. EPANET is produced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. For further information, see the EPANET 2 User Manual.

Models created in older versions of EPANET can also be imported, but it is strongly recommended that you convert them to EPANET Version 2. To convert your old models, load them into EPANET 2, then export the network. See the EPANET documentation for how to do this.

Exported EPANET models can include the following text file types:
  • Input file (.INP): contains details of all the objects in the network; may contain coordinate information; required.
  • Map file (.MAP): contains coordinate information and labels only; optional.
  • Scenario file (.SCN): not used by InfoWorks WS Pro.

If you include a map file in your import, it is possible that coordinate information in the map file will conflict with coordinate information in the input file. You can choose whether or not to overwrite existing coordinate information in the input file with coordinates from the map file.

To import a network from EPANET files

  1. Right-click the model group in either the Model Group window or the Explorer window.
  2. Select Import Model from EPANET v2 Files from the context menu.
  3. On the Select input files page, type in the name of the EPANET input (.INP) files, or search for it using the Browse button.
    Note: You can include additional INP files. See section Adding multiple INP files below for details.
  4. Click Next to continue.
  5. If the selected .INP file does not contain coordinates, the Map File page will be displayed. (If the selected .INP file includes a coordinates section, the Choose names page will be displayed, in which case skip this step.)
    1. Optionally include an EPANET map (.MAP) file: type in the name or use the Browse button.

      Some input files contain details of an associated map file as part of the network data. In this case, the map file name will be filled in automatically.

    2. Click Next to continue.

      The Names page will be displayed.

  6. On the Choose names page, choose names for the network, control set, and demand diagram/other groups that will be created. The suggested names are based on the input file name.

  7. Click Next to carry out the import process.

    When import is complete, the Import finished page will be displayed, showing feedback information about the import.

At the end of the import, new items will be added to the database:
  • Network, with the name that was selected on the Choose names page.
  • Control data set, with the name that was selected on the Choose names page.
  • New demand diagram/other group, called EPANET Import, in demand diagram/other group with the name that was selected on the Choose names page.

Adding multiple INP files

You can include additional INP files, which will become scenarios. To do this, you can browse and select multiple files in the Select input files page. Alternatively, you can type multiples file path and filenames into the box.

Take note of the following:

  • When you type multiple files, you must enter one file per line.

  • For multiple files, the first file on the list will be the base scenario, and the subsequent files will be the other scenarios.

  • Demand Diagrams and other non-versioned objects are imported as separate items.

After import is complete

Once the EPANET data has been imported, you will probably have to do some tidying up and add some additional data to complete the imported network.

Feedback from the import process is displayed on the Import finished page, the last page of the EPANET Import wizard. This feedback is saved in the description data for all three imported items:
  • Network
  • Control set
  • Demand diagram/other group

To access this description, right-click the item (network, control set, or demand diagram/other group) and select Properties from the context menu. Then go to the Description page of the Properties dialog.

See EPANET conversion notes to learn about some of the issues involved in the import process.

Parent topic: Import Network Data

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