Description: With limited revenues, aging infrastructure, and complex regulatory obligations to meet, a comprehensive approach to managing your water system is vital. What information will be useful to you? How should you track your system assets? How does your aging infrastructure impact your efforts? Which asset(s) should you replace given limited funds and how should you prioritize replacement? How do you know how much money you might need?

As the federal lead service line inventory requirements recently made clear, water utilities (at a bare minimum) need to know where their infrastructure is, who it serves, what it’s made of and what condition it is in. New Jersey’s Water Quality Accountability Act also requires routine inspection and maintenance of fire hydrants and valves, including obtaining GPS coordinates for these assets to improve tracking and management. Digital data collection and asset mapping is the key to meeting these requirements. All of this and more can be done with basic data collection tools and GIS maps.

Asset mapping and analysis, particularly when done with geographical information system (GIS) tools is a fundamental part of good system management, and a core activity of utility Asset Management – a framework for utility problem solving and planning. Further, many states such as New Jersey have developed or are develop Mapping and Digital Data Standards that should be followed. Whether your system is creating maps itself or working with a consultant or technical assistance provider for mapping, knowing how digital maps are created, and more importantly, what information is necessary for robust analysis is critical. This training covers:

• Why digital mapping is critical for water utilities
• What data should be collected and why
• Tools for data collection
• Tools for analysis and planning
• Basic information about New Jersey’s utility mapping requirements and digital data standards

Trainers: James Markham, Research Engineer and Ryan Magee, Education Consultant, Southwest Environmental Finance Center

CEUs: This training has been submitted for pre-approval of continuing education credits though we cannot guarantee it. Regardless, we will provide attendees with a Certificate of Attendance for their personal record. 

Who Should Attend: