BIM in the design of wastewater treatment plants

BIM adoption offers tangible benefits in design efficiency and error reduction, which is critical in complex infrastructure projects such as wastewater treatment facilities.

However, the specific technical challenges of the wastewater management field require specialized approaches that go well beyond conventional BIM practices used for buildings.

Technical challenges of modeling wastewater treatment plants

Wastewater treatment plants present unique modeling challenges that distinguish them from conventional building projects. Unlike MEP systems in standard buildings, wastewater piping systems operate under gravity-fed conditions, where undersized sections can easily lead to drainage problems, while oversized sections promote sediment formation and progressive clogging.

Although Revit provides a set of standard MEP functionalities, complex projects, such as wastewater treatment plants, require additional advanced tools that optimize the modeling of plant networks and facilitate coordination between different disciplines.

An integrated solution for sustainable design

MagiCAD supports the sustainable renovation of water treatment plants through deep integration with BIM processes, enabling precise design, calculation, and optimization of MEP systems, directly contributing to environmental objectives such as water reuse and emission control.

The renovation process begins with preliminary activities and detailed surveys, including georeferenced aerial photogrammetric surveys using drones and laser scanner surveys conducted with portable equipment. These surveys generate a point cloud, which is essential for creating an architectural Scan-to-BIM model representing the as-built condition of the plant.

Subsequently, a federated design model is created that includes all planned interventions, with existing lines visually distinguished from new design lines to ensure clear presentation.

MagiCAD operates fully integrated within Revit, ensuring 100% compatibility and a continuous, efficient BIM design workflow, allowing users to remain in the same working environment throughout all project phases.

Case study: renovation of the Ginosa wastewater treatment plant in Italy – Astra Engineering

This case study details the upgrading and modernization project of a civil wastewater treatment plant in the municipality of Ginosa in Apulia, Italy. The project was designed at the technical–economic feasibility level for an integrated tender and addressed multiple requirements:

• Increase in plant capacity: Upgrade from approximately 22,206 to 25,900 population equivalents (PE)
• Regulatory compliance: Alignment with regional regulation No. 13/2017 of the Apulia Region for primary treatment sections (pretreatment and equalization)
• Environmental sustainability: Implementation of treated effluent reuse for agricultural purposes in accordance with ministerial decree 185/2003
• Emission containment and control: Capture and treatment of odorous emissions through biotrickling technology
• Stormwater network upgrade: Enhancement of the collection and drainage network with the addition of manholes, pipelines, and gullies
• Personnel safety: Monitoring of operator exposure to chemical agents in confined spaces

Design challenges and territorial constraints

The plant presented several specific critical issues that required an integrated approach:

1. Landscape constraints: The municipality of Ginosa is subject to landscape protection due to its proximity to a ravine
2. Hydrogeological constraints: Location in a riverine and hilly area requiring authorization from basin authorities
3. Environmental assessment: Screening requirement for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) applicability for treatment plants exceeding 10,000 PE
4. Integration with existing infrastructure: Expansion of the plant into currently unused eastern section, subject to modernization

Implemented solution

The integrated BIM approach enabled a systematic handling of all phases of the renovation process. MagiCAD was specifically used for modeling both pressurized and gravity-driven networks, as well as for sizing the suction lines used in odorous emission treatment, demonstrating the software’s effectiveness in managing complex MEP networks within the overall BIM workflow.

Operational process for sustainable renovation

1. Preliminary activities and data acquisition (As-built state)

The process began with collecting existing data through multiple integrated activities:

• Context analysis: Verification of urban zoning and regional landscape constraints
• EIA applicability screening for plants exceeding 10,000 PE
• Collection of technical documentation available from the contracting authority
• Georeferenced aerial photogrammetric survey using drones (DJI Mavic)
• Portable laser scanner survey (Leica BLK2GO) for precise mapping
• Mapping of plant assets and collection of nameplate data for existing equipment
• Environmental surveys (noise, emissions, landscape) and geotechnical characterization
• Structural characterization of existing tanks and olfactometric investigation to characterize odorous emission sources

By interpolating topographic and laser scanner surveys, it was possible to generate a point cloud, which was essential for creating an architectural Scan-to-BIM model of the plant’s as-built condition.

2. Scan-to-BIM and creation of the initial model

After defining the information management plan (IMP) and the level of detail (LoD) in accordance with UNI 11337-4, the point cloud generated from the surveys was used to create a complete architectural model through Scan-to-BIM. Based on this model, the structural and MEP models of the plant in its as-built configuration were developed.

Using MagiCAD, all existing plant routes were reconstructed within the BIM model and categorized by intended use:

• Water line (treatment process)
• Bypass discharge lines
• Sludge line
• Drainage lines
• Compressed air line
• Stormwater line

3. Generation of the federated design model

The three disciplines (architectural, structural, and MEP), combined with the local models of the different treatment stations, enabled the creation of a federated design model. All new interventions planned for upgrading and strengthening the plant were implemented within this model. New design lines were visually distinguished from existing lines in both plan views and the 3D model. This BIM methodology enabled effective coordination among all disciplines involved in the project.

4. Detailed design with MagiCAD: Focus on odorous emissions

MagiCAD’s contribution to the project took place in two main phases:

• Reconstruction of existing plant routes within the BIM model
• Modeling of new plant networks and sizing of suction lines for odorous emission treatment

For this latter aspect, which represented the main focus of the renovation, the process followed these operational phases:

Phase 1: Project and dataset preparation

• Configuration of calculation methods and criteria (standard or increasing velocity sizing)
• Definition of design parameters for automatic network sizing
• Import of methods into the current project via the design data table

Phase 2: Definition of components and series

• Creation of duct and pipe series (stainless steel for above-ground, PE100 for underground)
• Definition of diameters and associated fittings for automatic insertion
• Selection of devices from the MagiCAD MEP library (the most comprehensive in Europe, with manufacturer-verified MEP objects)

Phase 3: Creation and configuration of systems

• Assignment of formal identity to the networks to be designed
• Creation of MEP systems (supply air, exhaust, wastewater)
• Assignment of key properties: name, material, calculation type, distinctive color

Phase 4: network modeling

• Operational modeling using MagiCAD’s integrated tools to ensure design consistency
• Installation of terminal components (suction devices) connected to duct endpoints with assigned design airflows
• Modeling of ventilation and hydraulic networks differentiated by type, color, and status

Phase 5: Calculation, balancing, and analysis

• Use of MagiCAD calculation engines for network sizing and performance verification, using a constant velocity (7 m/s in this project)
• Identification of critical paths (e.g., between two suction points) for targeted diameter adjustments while maintaining constant velocity
• Analysis of results with final dimensions, flows, fluid velocities, pressure losses, and damper settings for each element
• Verification and optimization by checking warnings, identifying critical circuits, and applying necessary adjustments

Advanced design and optimization capabilities

Integrated hydraulic calculations for MEP networks

MagiCAD incorporates device performance curves into its calculations, enabling complete sizing and balancing of MEP networks. In the Ginosa project, this made it possible to identify critical paths within the suction networks and apply targeted, project-specific modifications to optimize the performance of the emission treatment system.

Odorous emission treatment: Focus on application

One of the most significant aspects of the project was the use of MagiCAD for modeling and sizing suction lines for odorous emission treatment. This process involved:

Calculation of airflows to be treated

MagiCAD calculated the airflows based on the following inputs:

• Inspectable buildings: 5 air changes per hour for occasional operator presence, 8 air changes per hour for continuous presence
• Covered tanks: 2 air changes per hour for free space between cover soffit and liquid surface < 1 m, 1 air change per hour for free space > 1 m

Component pre-sizing

• Suction grilles for buildings and control dampers for direct tank extraction
• External air intake grilles for recirculation
• Pipe materials

System sizing

• Two biotrickling filters: one with 9,000 m³/h nominal capacity and one with 5,000 m³/h
• Buffer capacity for potential future treatment increases
• Number and size of grilles per station pre-sized based on required airflow

This precise calculation is critical for effective air treatment and for improving staff working conditions.

Real-time optimization

The software allowed automatic real-time modification of design elements (pipe or duct dimensions) based on calculation results, enabling rapid simulations and iterative optimization to identify the best solution.

Resources and technical support

Comprehensive MEP library

MagiCAD provides access to the largest MEP library in Europe, with over one million real objects from more than 300 manufacturers, as well as editable or user-created generic objects, ensuring accurate modeling with real-world components.

Localization and standards

The software is localized with national and international calculation standards, making it suitable for local and gloabl projects at all stages, from preliminary design to as-built documentation.

Training and technical support

MagiCAD offers comprehensive support to maximize software effectiveness:

• Specialized training: Courses in multiple languages available for new users and advanced refresher courses for experienced users
• Qualified technical support: Technical support team composed of Autodesk-certified MEP professionals with extensive industry experience
• Webinars and online resources: Regular technical webinars and access to e-learning content for self-paced learning
• Localized templates: Revit project templates tailored to the local market, ready to use to accelerate project startup

Conclusions

The integration of MagiCAD into BIM workflows for the modernization of wastewater treatment plants represents a significant qualitative leap in the design of sustainable infrastructure. The Ginosa case study demonstrates how the targeted use of MagiCAD for modeling and sizing suction networks for odorous emission control can be effectively integrated into broader BIM processes, contributing to technically accurate and environmentally sustainable solutions.

MagiCAD’s ability to combine precise geometric modeling, advanced hydraulic calculations, and real-time optimization for MEP networks overcomes the traditional limitations of parallel workflows. The specific contribution of MagiCAD in sizing suction networks ensured high productivity, accuracy, and control—key factors in achieving environmental sustainability goals and improving working conditions.

This approach represents the future of water infrastructure design, where precision in MEP network modeling is integrated with advanced BIM methodologies to create technically excellent and environmentally responsible solutions.