GIS and Model Applications from an Integrated System

Abstract

For many years, modeling and GIS applications have been used as separate systems for planning, design and operation of water distribution systems. As digital information becomes increasingly available, the potential benefits of an integrated model and GIS system become more obvious. These benefits of integration and resulting automation include: better service to internal and external customers, improved work processes and higher productivity, reduced data entry errors and duplication, improved data security and reliability, and improved emergency response. Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD) is developing an integrated system that includes a hydraulic and water quality model, Geographic Information System (GIS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), and other database systems. Model data is dynamically linked to the GIS information with unique identification features. The model utilizes GIS and other linked data to compute hydraulic and water quality results for master planning, operational planning, facility outage scenarios, and other what-if scenarios. The integrated system enables the data process to be automated to the maximum extent possible so that manpower and time is saved. This paper describes the significance of such integration and demonstrates its value with example applications. The examples encompass master planning, water quality planning and operational planning for rapid-growing communities.