AWWA ACE60058

Over the last 20 years, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have become commonplace tools for both public and private utilities. To have a map of the exact location of an asset only a few mouse clicks away saves time spent looking up indexed paper-based maps. GIS also gives engineers and technicians more flexibility in developing ad hoc maps as well as being an efficient robust analytical tool. This paper describes how, after the blackout of August 14, 2003, the Cleveland Division of Water (CWD) realized the value of modeling in GIS to recreate the events in the water system during the crisis. The sequence of composite maps created from the GIS analysis gave decision-makers a good idea about the amount of existing storage capacity in the distribution system and estimates of what additional storage would be needed. The customer counts helped decide which stations critically needed backup power sources in case of the reoccurrence of such a power outage. Without the GIS, this information would have taken much more time to develop. The spatial analysis capability of the GIS may have also led to more accurate results than those that would come from similar calculations done by hand. With confidence in the results of the study, the Division of Water was able to deliver a specific plan to the Mayor for improvements to the distribution system that would reduce the chance for customers to be out of water if another blackout fell upon the city. Includes reference, figures.