{"id":582011,"date":"2026-02-13T00:43:24","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T00:43:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/en-us\/industries\/blog\/?post_type=blog&p=582011"},"modified":"2026-02-25T16:14:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T16:14:38","slug":"east-valley-implements-arcgis-utility-network-for-modern-data-management","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/en-us\/industries\/blog\/articles\/east-valley-implements-arcgis-utility-network-for-modern-data-management","title":{"rendered":"East Valley Implements ArcGIS Utility Network for Modern Data Management"},"content":{"rendered":"

East Valley Water District embraced the capabilities of Esri\u2019s ArcGIS Utility Network to improve analysis, streamline workflows, and visualize the organization\u2019s underground infrastructure.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Setting Goals for Modern Utility Data Management<\/h2>\n\n

Based in Highland, California, East Valley Water District<\/a> serves water and sewer services to over 100,000 residents across Highland and the city and county of San Bernardino. As a forward-thinking agency focused on leveraging modern technology, the district collaborated with Pro-West & Associates to upgrade from a geometric network to Utility Network. This would help the district manage its data\u2014which had been migrated to ArcGIS Pro in preparation for the deprecation of ArcMap\u2014in an up-to-date environment.<\/p>\n\n

East Valley wanted to improve the way in which its data was organized<\/em><\/strong>, using the structure prescribed within ArcGIS Utility Network to improve accuracy, efficiently maintain the district\u2019s most valuable information, and open doors to advanced capabilities.<\/p>\n\n

East Valley was keen to take advantage of the analytical capabilities <\/em><\/strong>of ArcGIS Utility Network. The district saw an opportunity for more accurate water modeling and long-term infrastructure recommendations, as well as for budgeting and planning for maintenance such as pipeline replacements.<\/p>\n\n

The district was also interested in integrating its geographic information system (GIS) data with more systems<\/em><\/strong> across the organization\u2014such as utility billing and work order management\u2014to eliminate redundant tasks. East Valley also wanted to replace manual processes for incorporating GIS data into other systems.<\/p>\n\n

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East Valley Water District Service Area<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

A Data-First Foundation<\/h2>\n\n

With a very small team with just one data editor, East Valley needed support to establish a foundation for managing data in Utility Network, eliminate redundant data, and clear a backlog of updates.<\/p>\n\n

East Valley began its implementation with a data-readiness assessment. This laid the groundwork for the data cleaning and updates that followed. The readiness assessment also set the stage for developing the final schema. Esri\u2019s water distribution and sanitary sewer industry data models were adapted to fit the needs of the district. Stakeholders from multiple departments were engaged in the development of the final schema. Pro-West worked with East Valley to identify authoritative datasets and eliminate data that was no longer needed, creating a clean slate in its utility network. Data representing previously private sections of the distribution network resided in separate feature classes; this data was combined, eliminating duplicate datasets and more accurately representing network connectivity. Partially populated fields from one-time integrations were dropped during migration, resulting in leaner, more meaningful attribute data.<\/p>\n\n

Data cleanup and editing was performed concurrently with utility network configuration, forging an efficient start to East Valley\u2019s journey to more modern utility data management. As the data model was adapted to meet the district\u2019s needs, data-editing and -cleaning activities provided concrete examples for discussion among stakeholders to help clarify how elements of the data model could be configured to support analytics and data integrity.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cImplementing Utility Network gave us an opportunity to organize our data in a way that would work best for us. We removed data that we didn\u2019t need and figured out what we needed to keep. We were determined to fully leverage the way in which data is organized in ArcGIS Utility Network to achieve our goals.\u201d<\/strong>\u2014<\/strong><\/em> Sarah Paredes, Information Technology Analyst at East Valley Water District<\/p>\n\n

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East Valley Water District\u2019s water distribution network\u2014with system subnetworks and some pressure subnetworks configured\u2014is shown above. Inset photos (left to right) show a pressure regulation station between two subnetworks; a location in the network that includes commercial, fire, and irrigation services near the boundary of two pressure subnetworks; and, close up, the network near the eastern boundary of the district\u2019s service area.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Implementing ArcGIS Utility Network<\/h2>\n\n

After the data was prepared and the final data model was designed, the data was officially migrated into the utility network model, and connectivity rules and other network elements were configured.<\/p>\n\n

After a period of testing and initial review, a few adjustments and additions were made to asset types and connectivity rules, and the data was loaded onto the district\u2019s enterprise database. Pro-West supported the district with training targeted for engineering staff, who will integrate utility network data into their work, and IT staff, who are leading editing workflows. Operational activities and organizational resources were transitioned to ArcGIS Utility Network through the development of viewers for field staff; integrations with inspections, asset management, and work order management systems; and new editing workflows that include QC performed by engineering.<\/p>\n\n

Improving Water Analysis<\/h2>\n\n

From forecasting maintenance activities to managing budgets, data analysis is critical to East Valley\u2019s operations. ArcGIS Utility Network rules that govern connectivity ensure data integrity, so the district can produce more accurate water and wastewater strategic plans with enhanced long-term planning and, therefore, budgeting.<\/p>\n\n

The tracing capabilities offered by ArcGIS Utility Network supports a consistent feedback loop that helps staff understand their network and, in turn, improve data quality by leveraging institutional subject matter expertise. Tracing reveals details such as a valve that is designated as normally closed, as opposed to operational. For example, tracing allows users in the field to identify which valves to shut off during emergencies\u2014when tracing reveals that a valve isn\u2019t isolating water where it should, errors in the system are found and corrected.<\/p>\n\n

Tracing also provides valuable hydraulic analysis with alternative flow models for subject matter experts to evaluate for feasibility\/real-life errors. When the model is run and the results are interpreted, the knowledge gained is used to guide capital project and budget planning in accordance with the district\u2019s strategic plan, which includes efforts dedicated to system maintenance and modernization.<\/p>\n\n

Tracing reveals errors in connectivity and valve status that subject matter experts can then correct. Working with consultants on activities such as water modeling and pipeline replacements delivers greater value, since East Valley is able to supply higher-quality data for the consultants\u2019 use.<\/p>\n\n

For the first time, the district has an accurate representation of its underground assets, providing a valuable tool for analyzing and planning infrastructure improvements.<\/p>\n\n

Connecting Systems<\/h2>\n\n

East Valley\u2019s systems for utility billing<\/strong>, work order management<\/strong>, and finance <\/strong>rely heavily on GIS data, but incorporating it used to involve manual data entry and inefficient processes. ArcGIS Utility Network has empowered East Valley to streamline its system integrations with seamless workflows and automatic data updates that minimize opportunities for error across systems.<\/p>\n\n

Meter readings are now automatically updated in East Valley\u2019s Tyler Technologies utility billing software instead of being manually imported. The structure in which Utility Network organizes data allows better alignment of the two systems, minimizing meter data discrepancies. The integration between GIS and the utility billing system has had a positive impact on the implementation of automated meter reading across East Valley\u2019s customer accounts, making data synchronization possible between the old and new meter types.<\/p>\n\n

Utility Network also enables East Valley to improve integration between its GIS data and finance system (for budget management) and with its work order management system, which ties to both utility billing and GIS and has benefited from connection with maps, underground infrastructure, and meter information.<\/p>\n\n