PCWA’s GIS team celebrates 20 years of service and innovation. Their work supports every aspect of the agency’s operations. Photo courtesy of PCWA

PLACER COUNTY, CA (MPG) - The Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) proudly recognized the 20th anniversary of its Geographic Information System (GIS) program during a presentation to the Board of Directors on Monday, Dec. 8. The milestone marked two decades of innovation, growth and essential support for the agency’s infrastructure and operations.

Over the past 20 years, Placer County Water Agency’s Geographic Information System program has evolved into a vital, agency-wide resource supporting everything from engineering and field services to drinking water operations and customer service. The system tracks and maps more than 170 miles of canals, 664 miles of mains and pipelines, 5,803 fire hydrants and nearly 41,000 metered connections. It provides real-time data on the location, age and other critical information, enabling smarter planning, faster response times and more efficient operations.

“Our Geographic Information System program has evolved significantly over the past two decades. What was once a software used to create static maps has developed into the world of applications and analytics.  As we like to coin it: From Maps to Apps,” said Jeremy Shepard, Director of Technical Services. “It empowers our teams with the tools and insights they need to serve our customers and maintain our infrastructure.”

The Board presentation highlighted the breadth of Geographic Information System applications developed across departments. These include field apps for hydrant flow testing, cross-connection hazard assessments and water quality sampling, office dashboards for monitoring canal flows and treated water leaks and public-facing tools such as hydrant location maps and interactive story maps, as well as future innovations including service outage notifications and integration of 3-D models.

Placer County Water Agency's public-facing Geographic Information System tools like this interactive hydrant locator map, allow the community to access helpful and educational water system information. Photo courtesy of PCWA

With 42 applications and counting, Placer County Water Agency's Geographic Information System program continues to assist staff in digital workflows to better assist customers.  The agency is also exploring next-generation tools like advanced asset management systems to further enhance service delivery.

To explore Placer County Water Agency's Geographic Information System resources, visit pcwa.net. The site features hydrant maps and interactive story maps on forest restoration at French Meadows, a virtual tour of the Foothill Water Treatment Plant II, and the delivery of water supply in western Placer County.

About PCWA

Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) is the primary water resource agency for Placer County, California, with a broad range of responsibilities including water resource planning and management, retail and wholesale supply of drinking water and irrigation water, and production of hydroelectric energy.