Industry Context: A System Under Strain
According to the 2025 ASCE Report Card, U.S. infrastructure received an improved C grade overall, but the water infrastructure sector showed no measurable progress. In Autodesk’s report analysis, experts highlighted that drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater failed to improve their scores despite the influx of IIJA funds. The most significant gaps remain in aging systems, climate resilience, and long-term capital planning (Autodesk Water Blog, March 2025).
For civil engineers in this space, that means embracing workflows beyond traditional CAD: solutions that deliver intelligent analysis, early visualization, and detailed modeling—all while helping teams meet new regulatory expectations.
Autodesk’s Integrated Water Workflow
A recent Autodesk article titled “Civil 3D + InfraWorks + InfoDrainage: A Powerful Drainage Design Workflow” outlines a robust approach to stormwater design that connects site planning, engineering, and analysis in a unified process. Here is how it works:
1. Start Early with InfraWorks
In the conceptual phase, InfraWorks helps civil engineers visually assess terrain and watersheds. Tools like Terrain Themes and Watershed Analysis support decisions around flow direction, low points, and ponding—well before formal design begins. This early-stage intelligence sets the stage for better layout decisions downstream.
2. Move into Civil 3D for Layout
Designers then bring that context-rich model into Civil 3D, defining catchments, pipe networks, and grading details. Civil 3D’s precision and documentation tools allow teams to prepare design submissions that align with agency standards.
3. Analyze with InfoDrainage
Once the layout is complete, the data is sent to InfoDrainage, Autodesk’s hydraulic modeling tool, built for design and compliance. It allows engineers to:
• Simulate pipe flows, detention volumes, and green infrastructure • Visualize energy grade lines and hydraulic performance • Generate dynamic reports for review or permitting
According to the Autodesk blog, this triad of tools provides “a connected, data-rich experience for civil engineers and drainage designers,” enabling more sustainable and defensible water infrastructure projects (Autodesk Water Blog, January 2025).
Why This Matters for Water Engineers
Integrating these tools is not just about speed but accuracy, risk reduction, and resilience. Here’s why it matters: • Reduces Rework: Designs align with terrain and flow behavior from the start, reducing late-stage surprises. • Improves Collaboration: Stakeholders—from planners to public works—can visualize designs and provide input earlier. • Streamlines Permitting: InfoDrainage’s automated reporting and built-in standards support faster agency reviews.
As the March 2025 Autodesk article notes, civil engineers must now “design for both today’s systems and tomorrow’s shocks”—a direct reference to the climate resilience challenges embedded in the ASCE report.
How ARKANCE Supports Water Infrastructure Engineers
At ARKANCE, we provide the tools and empower civil engineering teams to implement them effectively. Whether you're a municipal stormwater engineer or part of a private design firm, our experts offer:
• Training and Onboarding: Focused instruction for using Civil 3D, InfraWorks, and InfoDrainage in a connected workflow • Consulting Services: Tailored workflows based on your project types and permitting requirements • Interoperability Support: Seamless data exchange between modeling environments, ensuring that design decisions carry forward into detailed analysis
Our experience within the public works ecosystem means we understand the landscape of real-world constraints and opportunities, from navigating funding cycles and regulation requirements to the demands of public accountability. As your partner in digital transformation, ARKANCE, is here to help your team harness Autodesk’s integrated design-to-analysis approach for water infrastructure. Let us build a brighter, more resilient future—starting with your next project.
Lisa Galicia, Marketing Programs Manager, Infrastructure
Lisa Galicia is the Marketing Programs Manager for ARKANCE’s Infrastructure Business Unit, where she leads strategic initiatives that connect civil engineering professionals with innovative technology solutions. She develops programs that showcase customer success and demonstrate how ARKANCE’s expertise and Autodesk solutions help agencies deliver smarter, more connected infrastructure.