The Water GIS Collaborative: A Grassroots Journey

In the ever-evolving world of water and wastewater management, the importance of geographic information systems (GIS) cannot be overstated. It’s a tool that has the power to transform how we understand, manage, and protect our most precious resource: water. But the story of the Water GIS Collaborative isn’t one of grand institutional beginnings or bureaucratic mandates; it’s a tale of passionate individuals, from diverse backgrounds, coming together on a shared mission.

Our collaborative was born from the collective vision of water utility industry professionals who saw the potential for GIS to revolutionize their field. It’s a tale that began not with a top-down directive from industry giants but as a grassroots effort by a group of idealistic water GIS nerds who couldn’t ignore the transformative potential of their field.

At the heart of this origin story is Lindsay Roland, a passionate advocate for the power of GIS in water and wastewater utilities. Lindsay’s journey into the world of water GIS was sparked by a chance encounter, an impassioned talk she gave on the incredible value that GIS technology could bring to the water sector. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and it was this passion that caught the attention of a tribal affiliate.

It was the tribal affiliate who approached Lindsay with an idea, a vision for a collaborative effort that would bring together professionals from all corners of the water industry, transcending boundaries of tribal, state, and federal entities, nonprofits, and private industry. The spark was ignited, and the Water GIS Collaborative was born.

What sets the Water GIS Collaborative apart is its organic, grassroots nature. It wasn’t imposed from above; it grew from the shared desire of like-minded individuals who recognized the immense potential of GIS technology to transform water management. The collaborative isn’t the brainchild of any one organization or entity; it’s a testament to the power of collaboration itself.

Our collaborative is made up of a diverse group of professionals who represent a multitude of entities, both public and private, from various corners of the water industry. We come together with a shared belief in the potential of GIS to tackle the complex challenges facing water and wastewater utilities today. Our members span tribal, state, and federal organizations, as well as other non-profits and private industry experts.

The Water GIS Collaborative is more than just a group; it’s a movement. It’s a testament to what can happen when passionate individuals, driven by a shared vision, come together to make a difference. Our story is still unfolding, but the seeds of change have been sown, and the potential is limitless.

In future posts, we’ll delve deeper into the exciting projects, innovative solutions, and impactful collaborations that are shaping the world of water GIS through the Water GIS Collaborative. Get ready for an inside look at our experiences in the industry, where we’ve found new and innovative ways to use maps for water utility management, and “case study” success stories of creating maps and training inexperienced water operators to use them. We’ll also share our insights on developing mapping practices for leak detection, the advantages of geolocated data collection for smoke testing, and some fun discoveries we’ve made while out in the field geolocating, from unexpected beehives to other intriguing finds.

Stay tuned as we continue this journey together, driven by our shared passion for water and our unwavering belief in the power of GIS technology to make a difference. Join us in our excitement for the Collaborative, our partners, and sponsors, and the new and idealistic ways we’re helping water systems thrive. We may be GIS nerds, but we speak the language of water system managers and operators, and we’re here to make your journey in water GIS as exciting and transformative as ours.