Once your data is cleaned and organized, the next step is to make sure everything is spatially correct—that is, your assets are connected and arranged properly on the map. We call this step review network topology, and it ensures your network behaves like a real one would.
Sometimes, the raw data includes pipes that overlap, nodes that are slightly off, or disconnected elements that don’t quite fit. We take care of all that behind the scenes.
Here’s what happens during this step.
We clean up overlapping and duplicated elements
Sometimes, pipes or nodes are placed almost on top of each other—either by accident or due to how data was exported. We remove those overlaps and keep just one of each, transferring any useful information (like demand or material) to the one we keep.
This helps avoid simulation errors and makes the network easier to manage.
When there are overlapping nodes (nodes with the same coordinates, with a 0.05 m tolerance), only the first element is preserved, according to the following order of priorities:
- SUPPLY SOURCE
- TANK
- PUMP
- VALVE
- PRV
- PSV
- FCV
- PBV
- GPV
- TCV
- HYDRANTS
- JUNCTIONS
⚠️ Important: If a preserved node has no Elevation property, it is obtained from the first discarded node that contains that information.
We fix connection issues
Some pipes aren’t connected to anything—or are only partially connected. We check all those cases and:
- Join pipes to nearby junctions if they’re close enough
- Split pipes when there’s a node near the middle that should create two segments
- Create junctions if needed to ensure continuity
- Remove disconnected assets that aren’t linked to the rest of the system
This step is like tightening all the bolts to make sure your network fits together properly.
We convert geometry formats for consistency
Some files describe pipes using complex geometry shapes (like MultiLines). We simplify these and other complex shapes to basic Lines or Points, which Qatium can read more easily. We also round coordinate values slightly to avoid unnecessary precision differences.
We simplify and clean up the network layout
To keep things tidy and realistic, we:
- Remove looped or very short pipes that don’t add value to the model
- Infer pumps and valves orientation in case is missing
- Organize nearby elements into clusters to group similar assets
- Assign assets to zones if you’ve defined pressure zones or areas in your data
These changes help make your network easier to read, simulate, and work with inside Qatium.
We handle special layout cases
In some cases, we might reshape parts of the network slightly to improve how it looks and works. For example, we sometimes add spirals (small layout tweaks) to help clarify overlapping assets or improve visibility in complex areas.
Correcting geometries ensures that your network is physically coherent—that pipes are connected, nodes are aligned, and the flow of water can move properly through the system. It sets the stage for accurate simulations by making sure every element is where it should be and behaves like it does in the real world.
Once your network is correctly connected and aligned, we’re ready to move on to the final step: inferring hydraulic data. With all the pieces in place, we can now focus on completing the missing information needed to simulate how water actually moves through your system.