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Pipe grouping is one of the most important aspects of the optimization data. Each pipe to be sized is assigned to one and only one group. All pipes in the same group will be assigned the same diameter during the optimization routine. This constraint is very important in three ways. First, for reasons of constructing a distribution system it is not desirable to have potentially different sizes for each leg of pipe. Such solutions are the result of a particular load case. Slight changes in the load case could result in different sizes. Grouping allows the user to control where pipe size changes may occur and thus establish a clear conveyance concept in the system. Second, grouping of pipes provides the user with a powerful tool to control to some degree the optimization, that is the direction in which to look for an answer. On the other hand careless usage of the tool may result in poor solutions. Third, because of the two reasons listed above which make grouping desirable, the methodology employed by the optimization routine takes advantage of the grouping in order to keep computer time within reason. A large number of groups may result in excessive computer time.