Use Water Distribution Data Management

After deploying, organizations with no water distribution data can immediately begin mapping their water distribution systems using GPS or digitizing data with web or desktop software. Organizations with existing spatial water distribution data can load it and begin using the apps.

In this topic, you’ll learn how to use the solution by assuming the role of a user and performing the workflows below.

Add data in the field

In these workflows, you will be taking the role of a mobile worker collecting data in the field. If you have a mobile-centric workforce, this may be the best option to collect new data or validate existing data.

Collect hydrants and valves

As a mobile worker, you can add hydrants and associated valves from the field.

  1. Open the ArcGIS Field Maps app and sign in to your ArcGIS organization.
  2. Open the Water Distribution Asset Collector map.
  3. Navigate to the collection location.
  4. Tap Add Add.
  5. From the list of features, search for Fire Hydrant by swiping up or typing fire hydrant in the filter search bar.
    If the hydrant is added to an inaccurate location, or you want to move the point manually, move the crosshairs to the correct location by panning the map and tapping Update Point. This moves the added fire hydrant to the specified location.
  6. Fill in any attributes and tap Submit.
  7. If the fire hydrant has an accompanying valve, you can add it next.
  8. Tap Add Add.
  9. Search for Hydrant by swiping up or typing hydrant in the filter search bar and select Hydrant under Service Valve.

    If the hydrant valve is added to an inaccurate location, or you want to move the point manually, move the crosshairs to the correct location by panning the map and tapping Update Point. This moves the added hydrant valve to the specified location.

  10. Fill in any attributes and tap Submit.
    Note:
    Move to a safe location to fill in the attributes; the added hydrant valve remains in its original location.

Collect service features

As a mobile worker, you can collect service meters and/or valves using ArcGIS Field Maps in the field.

  1. In ArcGIS Field Maps open the Water Distribution Asset Collector map.
  2. Browse to the collection location.
  3. Tap Add Add.
  4. From the list of features, search for the type of meter. In this example you are collecting a residential meter. Search for Residential by swiping up or typing residential in the filter search bar and select Residential under Service Meter.

    A point is added to your location.

  5. Fill in any attributes and tap Submit.
  6. Ensure the last collected service meter is selected and browse to the next meter location. Tap the Copy button at the bottom of the screen to copy the previously added meter to the location of the new meter.
  7. Adjust the attributes and tap Submit.
  8. If the meter has an accompanying service valve, you can add it next.
  9. Tap Add Add.
  10. From the list of features, search for Service by swiping up or typing service in the filter search bar and select Service under Service Valve.

    A point is added to your location.

  11. Fill in any attributes and tap Submit.

Add map notes

As a mobile worker, you can add a map note to the system.

  1. In ArcGIS Field Maps open the Water Distribution Asset Collector map.
  2. Navigate to the map note location.
  3. Tap Add.
  4. From the list of features, search for the Map Notes type by swiping up or typing a description in the filter search bar, select the Map Notes type, and add the note to the map by sketching a polygon in the map note location.
    New Map Note for Wrong Location using Field Maps app
  5. Fill in the attributes and click Submit.

    The map note is added to the map and is available to be viewed and reviewed by others in the organization.

Add data in the web

In the workflows below, you will be taking the role of an editor adding data in ArcGIS Online. The workflows explain how to add data in the web, use the provided dashboard, and add and manage map notes.

Add service connections

As an editor, you want to use a web app to add service connections to the map.

  1. In a browser, sign in to your ArcGIS organization.
  2. At the top of the site, click Groups.
  3. Browse to the Water Distribution Editors group and locate the Water Distribution Editor app. Click View Application to launch the app.

    In the Water Distribution Editor app, the Asset Editor widget is open by default on the left side of the window when the app opens.

  4. In the Asset Editor pane, click the template drop-down menu and select Service Connection, and select Service Connection from the list of options.
  5. Scroll down and fill in the preset values.
  6. With service connection selected, click to add the service connection to the map.
    Adding a Residential Service Connection using the Smart Editor widget
  7. You are prompted to update attributes and click Save.
  8. Continue adding service connections, changing the service connection type as needed.

    The template and preset attributes remain selected so you can continue adding service connections.

Add map notes

As a user, you can add a map note to the system.

  1. Browse to the Water Distribution Office Users group and locate the Water Distribution Viewer app. Click View Application to launch the app.
    1. In the Water Distribution Viewer, click the Map Notes Editor widget to open it.
    2. Choose a map note issue type and sketch a polygon in the desired map note location.
      Adding a map note using the Map Notes Editor in the Water Distribution Viewer app
    3. Enter attributes and click Save.

      Map note changes are reflected in other apps and maps across the system so others in your organization can view the latest information.

Manage map notes

As a GIS manager, you can review and resolve map notes about your system to ensure issues are addressed.

  1. Browse to the Water Distribution Map Notes Managers group and locate the Water Distribution Map Notes Manager app. Click View Application to launch the app.

    In the upper right of the app, there are a number of widgets that have been configured to filter, edit, update, and manage map notes.

  2. Review the list of included widgets to learn how to use them to manage map notes:
    • Legend—View a list of included layers in the map. The legend displays what is visible on the map, so zooming in or out can expand or reduce the list if scale suppression is set on the layers.
    • Filter—Use the Creation Date, Issue, and Severity filters to view only map notes that fit the entered criteria. Select a date range or an option from the drop-drown menu and turn on a filter to view the selection on the map.
    • Batch Edit Map Notes—Select a group of map notes using one of the selection tools and update values for all the selected features at once.
    • Map Notes Editor—Add a new map note or edit an existing map note.
    • Map Notes Summary—View all the map notes by status and expand each section to view the individual notes. Click a note to zoom to it on the map and view its attributes in a pop-up.

Use the water distribution dashboard

As a member of the utility, you want to have a comprehensive view of your water distribution system assets.

  1. Browse to the Water Distribution Office Users group and locate the Water Distribution Dashboard app.
  2. From the item page, click Open Dashboard.
  3. View the water distribution system statistics on the General tab, click the Water Main tab to view the water main details, click the Service tab to view details about services and click Hydrants to view the hydrant details.

Add data in ArcGIS Pro

In the workflows below, you will be taking the role of an editor adding data in ArcGIS Pro. If you have known locations of assets or as-built drawings, the following workflows demonstrate using ArcGIS Pro to add data to your water distribution system.

Note:

The first time you open the Water Distribution Data Manager map in ArcGIS Pro, the layers will show as broken. Follow the steps to Configure the Water Distribution Data Manager ArcGIS Pro project to fix your layers.

Add residential service laterals

As an editor, you can add a service lateral and service connection to the map in ArcGIS Pro.

  1. Open the Water Distribution Data Manager ArcGIS Pro project, sign in to your ArcGIS organization.
  2. In the Catalog pane, expand Maps and double-click Water Distribution Data Manager to open the map.
  3. On the Edit tab, in the Snapping group, click Snapping and turn snapping on.
  4. On the Edit tab, in the Features group, click Create.

    The Create Features pane appears.

  5. Select the 3/4" Residential Service group template from the Favorites list and click through the included templates to fill in the attributes. The group template works by adding the tap, service valve, and service connection with three consecutive clicks, and automatically digitizes the lateral.
    A Residential Corp Stop Services preset template selected in the Create Features pane
  6. Add the template to the map by following the steps below:
    1. Snap to the main and click to add the tap.
    2. Click to add the service valve to the map.
    3. Double-click the location on the map for the service connection. This completes the sketch, adding a residential service lateral, the service valve, and tap at the main.
      Add a preset template to the map in three clicks from the main to the residential connection
  7. On the Map tab, in the Selection group, click Attributes and fill in the remaining attributes.
  8. Repeat steps 5 through 7 to add the remaining residential lateral services to the map.

Add features from an as-built drawing

As an editor, you can add assets such as fittings and mains to the system from an as-built drawing.

  1. In the Catalog pane, expand Maps and double-click Water Distribution Data Manager to open the map.
  2. On the Map tab, in the Layers group, click Add Data. Browse to the location of the as-built drawing, select it, and click OK to add it to the map.
  3. With the image selected in the Contents pane, browse to the Raster Layer ribbon. On the Appearance tab, in the Effects group, change the Layer Transparency setting to 50%.
  4. On the Imagery tab, in the Alignment group, select Georeferencing.
    If you are unfamiliar with georeferencing, see Overview of georeferencing in the ArcGIS Pro help.
  5. On the Georeferencing tab, in the Adjust group, click Add Control Points.
    1. Add a minimum of two control points to connect your image to your known map positions.
    2. Once you have added all the control points, browse to the Georeferencing tab and click Save.
  6. On the Edit tab, in the Snapping group, click Snapping and turn snapping on.
  7. On the Edit tab, in the Features group, click Create.

    The Create Features pane appears.

  8. Select an asset from the template list and add the asset to the map where it corresponds to the georeferenced as-built drawing.
  9. On the Map tab, in the Selection group, click Attributes and fill in the attributes.
  10. Remove the image from the Contents pane once digitizing is complete.

Add map notes

As an editor, you can add a map note to the system.

  1. In the Catalog pane, expand Maps and double-click Water Distribution Data Manager to open the map.
  2. On the Edit tab, in the Features group, click Create.

    The Create Features pane appears.

  3. In the Favorites list, expand the Map Notes folder and choose a Map Note option. Add the map note by digitizing a polygon on the map at the desired location.
  4. On the Map tab, in the Selection group, click Attributes and fill in the attributes.

    The map note is added to the map and is available to be viewed and reviewed by others in the organization.