WaterNAM's extended period hydraulic analysis capabilities include:

• Simulation of distribution network of any size
• Calculation of friction head loss applying the Hazen-Williams, the Darcy Weisbach, or the Chezy-Manning equation
• Account for minor head losses at bends, fittings, etc.
• Model constant or variable speed pumps
• Compute pumping energy and cost
• Model operational behavior with various types of valves, including shutoff, check, pressure regulating, and flow control
• Model storage tanks with varying shapes (i.e., surface area can vary with height)
• Account for multiple demand categories at nodes, each with its own pattern of time variation
• Model pressure-dependent flow and flow from emitter nodes
• Allows system regulations such as rule based or logical controls on pump scheduling or tank-operations

WaterNAM is equipped with a powerful water quality analyzer which can:

• Model the movement of a non-reactive tracer material through the network over time
• Model the movement and fate of a reactive material as it grows (e.g., a disinfection by-product) or decays (e.g., chlorine residual) over time
• Model the age of water throughout a network (water age analysis)
• Track the percent of flow from a given node reaching all other nodes over time (trace analysis)
• Model reactions in the bulk flow and at the pipe wall
• Allow growth or decay reactions to proceed up to a limiting concentration
• Employ global reaction rate coefficients that can be modified on a pipe-by-pipe basis
• Allow for time-varying concentration or mass inputs at any location in the network
• Model storage tanks as being complete mix, plug flow, or two-compartment reactors

WaterNAM manages model data in a standard ArcGIS^® geodatabase. It allows users to maintain model element (e.g. junctions, pipes, valves) data in individual layers in the geodatabase, while the non-visual information and general project setting options are stored in a set of predefined tables in the project geodatabase. Thus, WaterNAM provides a comprehensive framework for water utility management.

WaterNAM runs in ArcGIS^® 10.x (ArcMap™ 10.x) platform. It adds a tool bar and a comprehensive tree-structured model interface in ArcMap™. The simulation options, model objects and operational settings are organized in easy-to-use rows in a tree panel, and the panel provides the utmost flexibility in editing model data.

The drag-and-drop model builder in WaterNAM enables users to efficiently create a water distribution model using existing GIS layers of the network components. Since network information are often readily available in GIS format and can be imported from CAD files, the drag-and-drop model builder extracts necessary information directly from the GIS data sources to quickly develop a water distribution model for hydraulic analyses or design.

The Network Analysis Tool in WaterNAM identifies the discontinuities or irregularities in the existing node and link layers of a water distribution model. It enables a user to quickly find the type and extent of data anomalies, view them in comprehensive groups, and correct network errors before running a simulation.

WaterNAM allows users to set logical controls on the operational devices (e.g. pumps, valves) in a straightforward way. The control editor provides options for either a single or a combination of operational conditions under each rule.

WaterNAM introduces some special features to edit and manage project information such as:

• Viewing and editing of element properties in tables (i.e. grid view)
• Accessing all editing options and tools of ArcMap™ 10.x (including symbology and styles)
• Previewing input file for model simulation using the Project Details Report
• Setting desired numeric precision for the hydraulic parameters
• Importing curve data from text files or spreadsheets

In WaterNAM the simulation results are presented in a number of ways including:

• Detailed simulation status report with convergence error
• Time series output of hydraulic and water quality variables (charts and tables)
• Time series comparison between two analysis variables (charts)
• Profile plot of analysis variables along a defined pipe line (elevation view)
• Reaction summary report (pie-chart)
• Energy-cost report (table)
• Result table for the analysis variables 

WaterNAM is fully compatible with EPANET, which is freely available from USEPA. Its wide range of applications and long history make it a very reliable software for analysis and design of water distribution systems. WaterNAM integrates the hydraulic engine of EPANET in ArcMap™ 10.x and it can:

• Export a WaterNAM project to an EPANET model network file (.inp file)
• Export a WaterNAM project to an EPANET model scenario file (.scn file)