Chicago extends GIS

Chicago aims to develop a comprehensive geographic information system (GIS) for its water system and has tapped a team of contractors for assistance. The city awarded the GIS project to prime contractor GIS Solutions, a Springfield, Ill., company that provides GIS products and services to government and private-sector customers. Team members include Avineon, EMA, Electronic Knowledge Interchange and Scarfe Consulting. According to Avineon, the contract will expand an ESRI GIS to include the city’s entire water distribution system, with the exception of small services. The contractors will assist the Chicago Department of Water Management and Chicago Water Partners. Chicago has standardized on ESRI’s GIS platform, the city’s Web site states. The GIS deployment began in 1998. The latest GIS project will provide for the management of assets such as water mains, fire hydrants and valves. The city’s water system encompasses about 4,200 miles of water main, 50,000 fire hydrants and 50,000 valves. The project is scheduled for completion in December 2008, Avineon said.