Valeria Cortes-Mora
As a Geography student, my work at the Southwest Environmental Finance Center (SWEFC) has allowed me to apply classroom knowledge to impactful projects. From satellite imagery analysis to designing GIS dashboards, my work has strengthened my technical skills and understanding of geospatial solutions. Here is a look into some of the projects I have contributed to.
Why I Joined SWEFC
My decision to apply for this role stemmed from my passion for geospatial technologies and their potential to address critical environmental and infrastructure challenges. Through my academic journey, I developed a strong foundation in ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and other GIS platforms, along with expertise in data collection, manipulation, spatial analysis, and map creation. Working at SWEFC has allowed me to leverage these skills while learning from seasoned professionals and contributing to impactful projects.
San Carlos Apache Reservation Lead Service Line Inventory
One of my first major tasks involved assisting with a lead service line inventory for the San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona. The goal was to help determine whether homes were built before or after 1970, to achieve this, I researched aerial imagery from the 1970s to the mid-1990s using the public Earth Explorer platform.
My findings allowed the team to update records significantly, ultimately saving the tribe valuable resources as they proceed with remediation efforts. This project showcased how geospatial technologies can drive cost-effective solutions for public health challenges.
American Samoa Power Authority Water Meter Lookup Tool
For this project, clients at the American Samoa Power Authority needed a user-friendly way for customers to access their water meter information and corresponding service line materials. My task was to design a solution that presented this data in an accessible table format without using a map interface.
Utilizing ArcGIS Dashboards, I created an interactive table with search functionality. This design provided a simple, efficient lookup tool that meets client needs while offering flexibility for future updates.
Data Parsing and Geo-location in Rico, Colorado
I worked with shapefiles containing system water mains and various point-based assets like hydrants and valves. My role was to parse the data from descriptive fields into organized, separate fields to enhance clarity and usability.
Additionally, I transformed an Excel spreadsheet with service line information into a mappable layer by geo-locating points based on physical addresses.
Reflections and Opportunities in the Geospatial Industry
My time at SWEFC has provided invaluable insights into the vast opportunities available in the geospatial field. From public health initiatives to utility management, the applications of GIS are boundless. I am grateful for the chance to contribute meaningfully and grow professionally within this dynamic and evolving industry. For students considering a career in geography or GIS, I encourage you to explore internships that challenge you to think creatively and apply your skills to real-world problems—the experience is immensely rewarding.
Cheryn Vigil
Hello, my name is Cheryn Vigil, I come from the Mescalero Apache Reservation where I’m a member of the Chiricahua band. I’m a senior who will be graduating in May 2025 with my Bachelor of Science in Geography. I’m currently a GIS Student Tech for the Southwest Environmental Finance Center (SWEFC) where I assist on multiple projects involving drinking water, wastewater, meters and other water infrastructure. I have been a part of the SWEFC for five months learning about the many successful collaborations the organization is working on. I felt this place was a great fit for me because of its values around water in terms of community involvement with tribal nations and low-income residents who don’t always have the means to have proper water necessities.
American Samoa Water Meter Images
- My first project involved me working in ArcGIS Pro with a package project Lead Service Line trying to attach water meter images retrieved from American Samoa from ArcGIS Survey 123. I transformed the Survey 123 data into a CSV and pulled it into ArcGIS Pro. I then performed an add join function by connecting the water meter number fields. I had to change the fields from text to numeric to get the fields to match. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get the exact results I was hoping for. The photos didn’t quite transfer over. I plan to use another method by creating a graphics layer and testing that out.
American Samoa Water Distribution Data Manager
- My second project involved me working on a package project in ArcGIS Pro called Water Distribution Data Manager for American Samoa. Many of the layers were engineering terms which I wasn’t too familiar with, being a Geography major. I spent a lot of time educating myself on the different mechanical pieces by watching videos on Youtube, TikTok and Google search images. I also printed out graphics of how these systems, like water service connections and other service lines for a home or business, work. Each of the layers contain an attribute table that holds information about the layer. The attribute tables are empty, so I’m working on adding data into them, which will allow me to create an adequate map visual. Along with this, I learned the basic geography of the islands using Google Earth to familiarize myself with the area. From this I was able to connect the placement of different water systems.
Cold Call Mapping Tool Required Data and Methodology
- For the third project, I’m continuing a project from a former student’s thesis research. I’m currently following her methodology to map out wastewater systems in the U.S. The EPA ECHO database was used to download violation reporting data for all water systems in the study area. In Excel, the relevant values from the EPA ECHO data (Drinking Water Designation, Fish Consumption Designation, Recreational Use Designation, Ecological Use – Sub Aquatic Life, Current Violations, Effluent Limit Exceedances, DMR Toxic Weighted Loadings, and DMR Conventional Weighted Loadings) were converted to priority scoring points, and then the weighted priority scoring points were calculated. From there I’ll take that data, create a CSV table and add it to a package project as a layer in ArcGIS Pro. Next, I’ll geo-locate addresses and add them to a wastewater map, where I’ll create a symbology to show where the systems are located.
Note from the SWEFC: Having Valeria and Cheryn as student employees is immensely helpful. Their knowledge and skills boosted the geospatial elements of our technical assistance projects in small communities, and also provided them with direct work experience using the GIS skills they are building in The University of New Mexico’s Geography program. Paid internships for students is one of the ways that the SWEFC, and other university-based EFCs, make the connection from classroom skills to real-world application for people entering the environmental workforce. If you are a student with an interest in water and skills in geospatial technology, communications, cybersecurity, or other related fields; reach out to the EFC in your region for more information about internships and career-building opportunities.