Modesto’s GIS Receives Merit Award from American Council of Engineering Companies

Modesto, CA (January 27, 2010) The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), California, recognized the effective use of technology in the City of Modesto’s Infrastructure Location Program for tracking sewage and storm drainage with its 2010 Engineering Excellence Merit Award. The award recognizes the data acquisition and system implementation efforts behind the city’s Geographic Information System (GIS), which now offers a technically-advanced grid of Modesto’s entire sewage and drainage infrastructure. Selected by a board of ACEC-appointed judges, the project was facilitated by Stantec’s Modesto Surveying and Geomatics Group, with surveying support assistance from O’Dell Engineers of Modesto.

Featuring advanced engineering technologies, the GIS now provides the City with the ability to use an infrastructure management tool and an emergency preparedness capacity through a mapping system which provides real-time, on location information throughout the city. To develop the system, Stantec gathered data from more than 700 miles of Modesto’s sewer and storm drain system pipes and nearly 36,000 utility manholes and drywell structures over a 36-square-mile area. 

Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and robotic total stations were used in tandem to locate the system facilities. The resulting GIS data now allows city engineering staff to identify potential locations of critical storm drainage and sewage issues using designated accessible maps and data collection points. With the enhancements completed in March 2009, Modesto’s ability to manage sewage and drainage infrastructure through the GIS system exceeds state requirements. 

About Stantec
Stantec provides professional consulting services in planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, surveying, environmental sciences, project management, and project economics for infrastructure and facilities projects. We support public and private sector clients in a diverse range of markets, at every stage, from initial concept and financial feasibility to project completion and beyond. Our services are offered through approximately 10,000 employees operating out of over 130 locations in North America. Stantec trades on the TSX and on the NYSE under the symbol STN.