AWWA CSC91091

The authors believe that utilities wishing to use computers should concentrate at first on geographic information systems (GIS), specifically, mapping, modeling, and facility management. A questionnaire distributed to water works in New England shows that most of those water works with computers use them for mapping, modeling, or facilities management. Before discussing the survey results, the authors present an overview of GIS applications to the water industry, focusing on mapping, facilities management, work order management, modeling, and long- and short-range planning. Advice is given for getting started in computerizing a water system. The first step is to conduct a needs assessment; following steps are hardware/software selection, staffing, establishing interdepartment cooperation, and a step-wise program of purchasing computer hardware. The discussion of survey results is highlighted by a series of charts and graphs that show the number and type of public departments using computers, what tasks the computers are used for, the type of equipment used, and the number of systems with computerized models and maps. Reasons why some utilities do not use computers are also given.