Education & Training

RGIS - Educational Modules, Chesapeake Penn State University

GIS for Small Water Systems – Spatial Analysis

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About This Module

This module covers spatial analysis and small water systems and is a 40-page illustrated, step-by-step instruction manual/course outline that demonstrates the use of a GIS, specifically ESRI’s ArcMap 9.1, as a spatial analysis tool. The module builds upon basic GIS skills reviewed in the “GIS for Small Water Systems – ArcMap Overview” module and teaches users important analysis techniques.  Topics reviewed in the module include:

  • Generating a water service area.
  • Identifying potentially vulnerable wells through adjacent land use analysis.
  • Optimizing and clipping datasets to the geographic boundary of a water system.
  • Water line placement analysis using the soils data depth to bedrock attribute.
  • Analyzing water pressure using raster-based elevation data.

Module Audience

This module’s target audience includes thousands of small public water supply systems in the U.S. 

Module Materials & Tools

  • Available via website download in PDF format
  • Data for exercises

This module requires working knowledge of ArcGIS Desktop and/or completion of “GIS for Small Water Systems – ArcMap Overview.”

The materials will be promoted and distributed with the help of the PA Rural Water Association, the National Rural Water Association, and the Department of Environmental Protection.

Module Software & Hardware Needs

  • ESRI ArcMap version 8 or later (9.1 is used for all of the illustrations)
  • Computer

For More Information Contact:

Rick Day, The Pennsylvania State University
116 ASI Building
Geospatial Technology Program, Land Analysis Lab
University Park, Pennsylvania 16802
Email: rday@psu.edu