Track: Water Distribution, Wastewater, Sewer
Session: 116 / Water Distribution Applications of GIS
Day: Thursday Time: 8:30 - 10:00
Room: Mesquite D Moderator: James Bates, Louisville Water Company
The Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) GIS project provides a practical look at the process of GIS implementation. MMWD embraced GIS technology and has implemented a system that combines ArcInfo, ArcView and ArcCAD, as well as interfaces to their existing Work Order and Billing systems. All access to the GIS is provided from desktop PCs on the Novell LAN. A project team from Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (Esri), Hammon, Jensen, Wallen and Associates (HJW), BaySys Technologies Inc. and Alpine Information Systems have combined to provide this enterprise wide system. This paper will spotlight some of the numerous issues MMWD has encountered with during this process. Topics include, the decision to develop a GIS, data communications issues, the base map, the map conversion process, tips on working with consultants, the need for end user tools, the interfaces, project management and costs. This paper will provide an excellent guide to those who are considering implementing GIS, and a reality check for those just starting to deal with many of the same issues.
GIS is being utilized by the New Mexico Environment Department, Drinking Water Bureau in order to optimize the human, transportation, and laboratory resources required to conduct a water quality sampling program. The NMED DWB employs a GIS as a Drinking Water Information System to manage the water sampling schedules, generate water chemistry analytical request forms, plot optimal route maps, manage territory allocation, and validate sampling requirements. GIS tools such as data base filters, scroll able menu interfaces, spatial ordering, relational data sets, lease cost routing, and allocation of centers are all used in this cost saving resource management system. This paper will discuss the design and development of this project, the constraints inherent in the data sets, and the user requirements vs the reality of what the data will support.
The Water Facilities Geographic Information System (WFGIS) is in its conversion stage for the Water Quality and Distribution Business Unit-Maps and Records Group of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The outcome of the research and work invested is easy and fast access to all major water facility information not only for the field crews to operate the water system, but for district engineers and managers to make informed decisions. In the process of developing the Pilot Program for the Water Facilities GIS, the Thomas Bros. street centerline database was used as a backdrop for "heads-up" digitizing to build the water main network system using a custom conversion program. The water main network also served as a basemap for the WFGIS. Valves, fire hydrants, leak locations, reservoirs, tanks, pump stations, and so forth, were also digitized and built into separated coverages. Data sets from many different formats were then integrated into GIS environment, ArcCAD and ArcView, and linked to the coverages. Using ArcView 2 with its programming language Avenue, a friendly and easy-to-use application was built and delivered to the end users with accurate and updated geographic water facility information at their fingertips. With WFGIS, it is expected that the end users will dramatically reduce the time spent looking for data necessary for their daily work, as well as provide faster response to emergency situations. This paper will focus on the questions, problems, and obstacles that were encountered and examples of activities will be discussed.