EPANET

EPANET, the latest version of which is 2.2.1 and developed by EPA's Water Supply and Water Resources Division, is an invaluable application for modeling drinking water distribution systems. This software facilitates the extended-period simulation of the hydraulic and water quality behavior within pressurized pipe networks, making it a robust tool for both educational and professional use.

The program supports various file names such as Epanet2w.exe, epanet-2.00.12.exe, Epanet2w_esp.exe, Epanet2w_fr.exe, and Epanet3w.exe. This variety ensures that users from different linguistic backgrounds can effectively use these tools. With a file size of 2 MB, the software is considerably lightweight and manageable even on systems with limited storage capacity.

Supported on Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11, EPANET not only covers a breadth of Windows operating systems but also ensures compatibility with both older and newer systems. Additionally, previous versions 2.2, and 2.0 are also available for those who may require them for specific reasons.

Categorized under Education and further classified in the Science Tools subcategory, EPANET offers an array of functions including tracking the flow of water in each pipe, measuring the pressure at each node, and monitoring height in each tank. It also allows for the analysis of chemical concentration, age of water, and source tracing throughout the network, making it a comprehensive tool for water distribution systems.

The freeware license of EPANET means that users can download it at no cost, a highly attractive point for educational institutions and resource-strapped organizations. Engineers and consultants utilize EPANET to design and size new water infrastructures, retrofit aging ones, optimize operations, reduce energy usage, and prepare for emergencies such as contamination threats or natural disasters. Its user interface includes a visual network editor that simplifies building and editing piping network models, making it user-friendly for complex simulations.

Pros:

• Comprehensive tool for water distribution systems analysis
• Lightweight with a file size of 2 MB
• Freeware license allows for free download
• Compatible with a broad range of Windows operating systems
• Supports multiple languages

Cons:

• Limited to Windows OS
• Steep learning curve for beginners without prior experience in hydraulics or water quality modeling

EPANET is essential for anyone involved in the study or management of water distribution systems, providing extensive functionalities in a compact, free package.

You may want to check out more software, such as optiUnits or WaterNetworks, which might be related to EPANET.