Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) is turning heads with its strategic use of GIS technology to guide trenchless rehabilitation projects—showing the kind of forward-thinking infrastructure management that ITpipes champions.

Facing the challenges of aging wastewater infrastructure in South Orange County, SMWD adopted a comprehensive GIS-driven approach to identify, prioritize, and execute trenchless rehab on nearly 75 miles of sewer mains. This data-centric strategy has allowed the district to pinpoint problem areas, streamline contractor coordination, and deliver projects with minimal community disruption.

One of the standout features of SMWD’s approach is its “smart” project selection process. Instead of simply tackling the worst lines, they analyze inspection data, operational history, and field conditions to identify where trenchless methods will bring the most long-term value. By layering this information into their GIS, they’ve created a living, dynamic model that informs every decision—from inspection through rehab. Continue Reading GIS-Driven Trenchless Rehab: How Santa Margarita Water District is Leading the Way