Mapping Tools for water and sanitation infrastructure.

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We are trying to map our existing water and sanitation (WASH) infrastructure facilities.

I am not a GIS expert but we are constantly suggested that we should use GIS and other tools for mapping this data. I am not sure how to do that. Is there any online simple user-friendly web-based tool which can enable geographical representation of data?

This mapping will help us formulate our priorities for the WASH project.

Have you ever worked with these tools?
What is your feedback?

 

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18 Answers

  1. The Water Network research team has consolidated an answer to the above question. 
    Further input from members is welcome and appreciated.  

    Here you can find a list of all GIS tools which are widely used for mapping the water and sanitation infrastructure. 

    As we know, unless collected data is easily accessible and presented in a structured, user-friendly way, it is practically useless. Geographic information system (GIS) integrates, stores, edits, analyzes, shares, and displays geographic information.

    GIS relates different types of information by location as the key index variable.

    Before mapping with GIS it is important to identify the objectives and target groups in order to get a clear focus of mapping. It is important to distinguish whether the goal is planning and monitoring or to empower communities.

    Best Mapping Tools for WASH are:

    1. QGIS
    2. Google Fusion Tables
    3. Water Pointer Mapper
    4. FLOW
    5. ArcGIS
    6. Golden Software Surfer

    1. QGIS 

    QGIS, formally known as Quantum GIS, is a free, open-source cross-platform desktop GIS application.
    It is similar to other GIS and can be used to create maps with multiple layers using different map projections. The images can be georeferenced.Untitled.png

    Advantages:

    • QGIS can be integrated with other open-source GIS packages.
    • It is possible to write plugins and add additional function options and more specialized tasks.

    Geocoding (converting addresses to geographic coordinates) can be done with the Google Geocoding API.

    A mobile QGIS version is currently being developed for Android.

    QGIS Cloud is personal spatial data infrastructure (SDI) on the Internet. All the maps published on QGIS Cloud Free are available to anyone. Limiting accessibility can be achieved with QGIS Cloud Pro.

    QGIS private Cloud is an excellent solution for planning and building an infrastructure. It provides security for your data and maps both on the intranet and internet and is easily installed on all platforms.GIs.png

    Diagram: QGIS
    Source: qgis.org/en/site/about/index.html

    You can find an introduction to QGIS here.  

     

    2. Google Fusion Tables 

    Fusion Tables is a web application for data visualization and sharing.

    They can be used by anyone with a Google Account. Data from any spreadsheet (Excel or CSV) can be imported. It allows you to filter and summarize data easily and offers different options for data representation.

    All data is saved and stored in Google Drive.

    Advantages:

    • Simplicity and accessibility
    • Merging multiple tables to create a single one that contains all sets of data.
    • Combining public data with your own.
    • When any base data table is updated, the merged table will show the latest value
    • Data can be made public or private
    • Keeping track of the information source even after merging the data

    Google Fusion Maps are rather unsophisticated, compared to other mapping tools, however they work well for designing and monitoring WASH systems.

     

    3. Water Point Mapper  

    Water Point Mapper (WPM) is a free program for monitoring the distribution and status of water supplies.

    It can import Excel data and plot it on a Google Earth satellite image or map.

    The maps (KML files) can be opened in Google Earth which must be installed on your computer, and you either must have an internet connection, or that location must have been viewed previously in Google Earth so that it is in the computer’s cache memory.

    WPM can be used for:  

    • planning the water supply investments
    • measuring progress and performance
    • promoting increased investments in the sector
    • allocating resources to deliver basic services where they are most needed

    Advantages:

    • Purpose-designed for mapping and analysis of waterpoint data
    • Automatic mapping
    • Input of administrative boundaries and automated calculation and mapping of district-level data
    • Area and point-based mapping
    • Works offline

    Mobile Water Point Mapper is a mobile application that works online and has similar functions.

     

    4. FLOW 

    Akvo FLOW (Field Level Operations Watch) is a system for the collection, management and analysis of geographically-referenced data.

    It is mainly used to track the conditions of water points but is adequate for monitoring any kind of local infrastructure.

    It is used on smartphones which are connected to an online database. Maps are immediately accessible to anyone who needs them.

    Data is easily updated so information is always up-to-date.

    Advantages:

    • Phone as a tool for gathering information
    • Available to anyone with internet connection
    • Easy, one-step solution follow-up data updates

    Disadvantage:

    • It is a paid product

     

    5. ArcGIS

    ArcGIS by Esri is a free cloud-based service that offers real-time information, in-depth data analysis and shows location-related patterns.

    It can make 2D and 3D maps and has a built-in map and scene viewer.

    It offers access to maps on various topics.

    Advantages:

    • Woks on any device and is available to anyone 
    • Scalable
    • Controlled privacy

    You can find the ArcGIS tutorial here.

     

    6. Surfer Untitled1.png

    Surfer provides 2D and 3D mapping, modeling and analysis of data.

    Surfer 10 64-bit is available as a free download.

    Advantages:

    • Accuracy and precision
    • Interpolation adjustments
    • Control over gridding parameters (including grid files from other sources)
    • Data presented in a clear, concise way

    Disadvantage:

    • It is a paid product, but a free trial version is available.

    You can find the Golden Surfer tutorial here. 

     

    Other Source:

    You can find the basics of QGIS here. 

  4. Waterpoint Mapper

    There could be many more options but for people who are looking for simple softwares to handle Waterpoint Mapper is the best solution.

  5. mapping tools for water and sanitation infrastructure

    Dear Mr. Rupasinghe,

    World Bank-WSP-SA has developed mobile based monitoring, tracking and mapping system for toilets being constructed and used in villges in Rajasthan, India. You may contact Mr. Mathews Mullackal, State Coordinator, WSP, Rajasthan on his mobile no. +919928535654. Similarly, M/s Bule Frog Mobile Technologie (P) Ltd, Hyderabad has developed mobile based system for water. For this you may contact at Mr. Satya Vara Prasad on +919908940006 please. 

    regards

    (Dr. Anil Kumar)

    +919418548604

  6. If I understand your question..that you don't have any maps..and trying to map from the beginning...if so..then you have to get help from the workers,the technicians...any other as built drawings for all of the projects.........then you can use any version of GIS used in the ministries of the country....and why I'm saying used,,is that many times the companies of GIS give you specifications and tools for the software that doesn't work afterwards..so direct contracting with an expert is better of buying a useless version

  8. SW you can use

    Hello, for sanitation and piping you can use the software epanet for calculating losses due to pipping. On the other hand any Gis SW (ArcGis is the most common) and topocal are very reliable tools. And also you can use Google earth to adquire all coordenates you may require. Cheers!

  10. Mr Jatin Chaudhary is working on mapping a public toilet, you can contact him on echai.co or +918733838470

  11. An easy and simple solution would be to use 'my track' on the android platform to collect the information. It can take point information as well as in a track format with facilities of taking photographs. the data can be transferred on to Google earth as kml files and can be seen and stored (locally or on cloud)

  12. WASH and GIS tool

    Bhagya, I am not an expert in the area you are explaining.  However, I do have a company that I have talked to that says they can easily handle data in their mapping software.  It is cloud based so you do not load the software.  Instead, you login and upload the data.  I have not tried it yet, but they are anxious to work with people to help them learn the possibilities.  If I can be of any help please let me know.

  14. GWQ Mapping

    I suggest you first use lithology+ Geomorphology intergrated map,,,,,,along with that use structure and lineament maps, ,,,,you may demarcate different aquifer boundaries,,,,,,and the same boundaries will may work for boundary for spatial mapping of ground water quality data. If you need information in detail ,,,you may contact me on paritosh219@gmail.com

  16. WaterPoint Mapper looks the best but check out this paper on Mapping and Managing Potable Water Infrastructure Assets,http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/winter0809articles/mapping-and-managing.html

  18. I strongly suggest to use Water Point Mapper, this is a free online tool developed by Wateraid. The Mapper is intended to offer a quick way to get up to speed with the process of Water Point Mapping and sector performance monitoring. It is aimed at water, sanitation, hygiene practitioners and local government staff working at district, sub-district and village levels. Its simple to use. http://www.waterpointmapper.org/ We used it last time for our project. while using if you can any problem, write me.