SMWD Honored with National Tech Award by Santa Margarita Water District Aug 4, 2025 Member Submitted News Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) is proud to share that we’ve received the 2025 Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) Award from Esri, a global leader in mapping and location-based technology. This national award recognizes public agencies that use smart tools to improve operations—and it demonstrates how SMWD is leveraging this technology to better serve you, our customers. Why It Matters This award isn’t just about technology—it’s about using smart solutions to improve service, respond faster, reduce costs, and protect your water supply for years to come. Whether you’re a homeowner, a business, or part of a homeowner association, this recognition shows our commitment to providing reliable, efficient, and high-quality water and wastewater services. Turning Old Records into Powerful Tools Over the past decade, SMWD has been working behind the scenes to modernize decades of paper-based records and maps, some of which date back over 40 years. Today, that information resides in a single central digital system that tracks and manages everything, from water lines and hydrants to sewer systems and meters. This enables us to better monitor our infrastructure, respond more quickly to issues, and plan more effectively for the future. How Technology Is Making a Difference With Esri’s GIS (Geographic Information System) tools, we’re improving nearly every part of our operation: Smarter Billing: We use aerial maps and parcel data to set fair and accurate outdoor water budgets, based on real property conditions. Better Maintenance: From tracking fire hydrants to inspecting sewer lines, GIS helps us stay ahead of repairs and meet strict water quality regulations. Faster Field Service: Our crews now carry mobile devices that show real-time data and work orders—leading to faster repairs and better service. Meet the Team Behind the Innovation This transformation wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated team. GIS Specialists James Fournier and Pilar Yager, who have over 30 years of experience, led the charge. They’re supported by Dustin Navarro (IT Manager), Mia Forsline (Management Analyst), and Nate Adams (Director of Water Resiliency)—all working together to make SMWD’s systems stronger and smarter. What’s Next We’re not stopping here. SMWD is continuing to expand smart systems that: Streamline how we manage service requests Improve coordination on infrastructure projects Automate key workflows to save time and reduce costs All of this leads to better service for our customers. The 2025 SAG Award is more than just a trophy. It’s a reminder of the trust our customers place in us and a sign that we’re using every tool available to deliver the best possible service. We’re proud to lead the way in using technology to protect our resources, plan for the future, and keep your water system running strong. Source: https://events.esri.com/conference/sagList/?fa=Detail&SID=7972
