2025-11-04 –, Lake Anne
Giswater is an open-source QGIS plugin (web and desktop) that connects with PostgreSQL to manage water supply sewerage and drainage systems, integrating hydraulic models EPANET and SWMM to enable inventory and asset management wit hydraulic simulations on QGIS.
The increasing complexity of urban environments, along with the growing challenges of climate change, urbanization, and regulatory demands, calls for a more rigorous, transparent, and efficient approach to managing critical water infrastructure.
In this context, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and network-based mathematical modeling tools have become essential—not only in the design phase, but also throughout operation and asset management. These tools provide the spatial intelligence and analytical power needed for informed decision-making about the structure, behavior, and evolution of drainage and sewerage systems.
More than ten years after the launch of version 1.0, Giswater (www.giswater.org) is now used in multiple projects across the Americas and Europe. Today, water utilities powered by Giswater serve over 20 million people.
These implementations demonstrate the feasibility of a comprehensive, long-term strategy for managing water supply, sewerage, and drainage networks using open-source technologies. This approach promotes transparency, adaptability, and cost-effectiveness, making advanced water management accessible even to municipalities with limited resources or technical capacity.
During the design and planning phase, GIS platforms—especially those integrated with spatial databases like PostgreSQL/PostGIS—enable detailed analysis of terrain, land use, and existing infrastructure. Engineers and planners can model flow paths, determine optimal pipe slopes, and evaluate design alternatives. Simulation engines such as SWMM (Storm Water Management Model) for drainage systems and EPANET for water supply allow users to simulate network behavior under different conditions.
Open-source tools like QGIS, combined with platforms like Giswater, connect spatial data, hydraulic models, and relational databases. This integration allows users to visualize and edit the network directly in GIS, run simulations, and assess system performance within a unified environment. Standardized formats also support collaboration among public authorities, private operators, and consultants.
Design workflows include selecting materials, sizing conduits, and defining structures such as inspection chambers and retention tanks. All elements can be documented within the same ecosystem, ensuring consistency and traceability throughout the project lifecycle.
In the operational phase, open-source GIS tools become even more critical. As new connections are added and assets age, the network evolves. A dynamic, up-to-date model is needed—one that reflects real-time changes, historical records, and future planning.
Using PostgreSQL/PostGIS as the relational and spatial foundation, sanitation utilities can manage detailed inventories of network components, including attributes like material, diameter, installation date, inspection records, and maintenance history. This supports preventive and corrective maintenance plans, helping utilities prioritize interventions and optimize field operations.
Hydraulic models also play a role during operation, allowing utilities to anticipate failures, evaluate the impact of blockages or overflows, and manage emergencies during extreme weather events. Integrated with GIS, these simulations help visualize system behavior and enable timely, data-driven responses.
Monitoring and control can be improved through manual data input or integration with telemetry systems. Key performance indicators (KPIs) such as flow, capacity, and incident frequency can be tracked and visualized using open-source business intelligence dashboards.
Perhaps the most impactful aspect of this initiative is its proof that all these capabilities are achievable using open-source software—without sacrificing quality, performance, or technical depth. The traditional barriers of costly proprietary licenses and vendor lock-in are removed, making it possible for even small municipalities to modernize their water infrastructure management.
By adopting an open-source philosophy, this initiative encourages cost reduction, interoperability, and long-term sustainability. It enables knowledge sharing, community-driven development, and tool customization tailored to local needs.
Ultimately, this project marks a step forward in the democratization of urban water infrastructure. It proves that professional-grade results are possible using accessible, open technologies—paving the way for a more inclusive, resilient approach to water management where every city, regardless of size or budget, can manage its infrastructure efficiently, intelligently, and transparently.
source code: https://github.com/Giswater/
With a career spanning over 30 years as a civil engineer, I have accumulated extensive experience in hydraulic modeling, water resource management, and infrastructure optimization. Over the last 15 years, my primary focus has been on designing and building open-source software solutions tailored for the water industry. My conviction is that technology should be accessible to all, regardless of the size or maturity level of the utility, enabling equitable access to innovative tools that drive sustainable water management.
My mission is to empower water utilities worldwide by leveraging open technologies, collaborative development, and data-driven decision-making to foster resilient, efficient, and sustainable water management practices.
As a Giswater Creator & Core Developer and Network Twin Consultant, as well as a Hydraulic Model Expert at BGEO, I am deeply passionate about transforming and optimizing water utilities through digital solutions driven by open innovation. My work focuses on developing and implementing open-source tools that empower utilities to enhance their operations, improve efficiency, and make data-driven decisions.
At BGEO OPEN GIS, my leadership is based on Service and empathy empowering my team while aligning with organitzational goald to create a positive and productive environment.
I actively contribute to the development and evolution of Giswater. Through this work, I aim to bridge the gap between engineering, technology, and real-world applications, providing water utilities with the tools they need to address their challenges in a cost-effective and scalable way.