Gatebook Automation for the City of San Francisco's Water Distribution System

Author: Nadeem Shaukat
Organization: CH2M HILL

1111 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94607
USA

Phone: 510-251-2888
Fax: 510-622-9063
nshaukat@ch2m.com

The City of San Francisco Water Distribution Department uses "gatebooks" to maintain and operate the City's water distribution system. Consisting of hard-copy published maps in a bound book, this combination of water distribution maps and supporting textual information is their primary information resource for performing their mission. CH2M HILL began a pilot project in March 1998 to establish the same information in digital format. Specifications for the automation of both graphic and corresponding text information were developed and used to successfully produce two prototype map sheets in ArcView GIS. As a result of this proof of concept, the City Water Distribution Department has requested that the pilot project be expanded into a City-wide gatebook geographic information system according to the formats and configurations defined in the pilot project.

The various components involved to establish the desired GIS include the data conversion to establish digital database design along with a graphical user interface (GUI) to expedite its data maintenance and the performance of key water system analysis procedures using ArcView GIS. The other component of this GIS is the training of department staff in the use of the data model and GUI to make it possible for them to improve the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the City's water distribution system.