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Insight into an Industry: Water/Wastewater GIS in Canada and the USADuncan S. RoweWhile Canada has long been respected for its use of GIS in many disciplines, the application of GIS technology in the water/wastewater industry has lagged that of the United States considerably. This paper will evaluate how the main market drivers of growth, deterioration, and regulation affect efforts in both countries to develop comprehensive spatial databases of municipal infrastructure. The differing availability and price model of public base data in the two countries will be summarized and considered as to the role this plays in the cost/benefit scheme. Lastly, predictions will be made regarding the extent and timeline that it will take for GIS technology to permeate the many engineering functions in the industry.
Duncan S. Rowe |