Use cases
Field audit and inspection of drinking water and wastewater networks
Reliable asset data is a critical requirement for operators of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater networks. As networks evolve over time through maintenance activities, rehabilitation works and new installations, GIS databases can quickly become outdated or inaccurate.
These discrepancies create challenges for day-to-day operations, including uncertainty when locating assets, inconsistencies in asset attributes, difficulties meeting regulatory requirements and reduced efficiency when planning maintenance or capital works.
To address these challenges, Dotic provides a software solution dedicated to field audits and inspections. Using a mobile application connected to a Web GIS platform, field teams can verify, update and improve the quality of network data directly on site, ensuring a more accurate and reliable asset inventory.
Keeping network data up to date is a constant challenge.
In water and wastewater networks, several factors contribute to the deterioration of data quality over time:
- lack of updates following maintenance works, repairs or network extensions
- multiple and inconsistent data sources
- inaccurate historical asset locations
- information loss between field teams and the GIS database
- difficulties in organising and managing inspection programmes
These issues have a direct impact on network operations:
- longer and less efficient field interventions
- limited visibility of network assets
- challenges in meeting regulatory reporting requirements
- reduced productivity for field and office teams
A mobile field audit application directly connected to GIS
Implementing a dedicated software solution helps organisations structure inspection programmes, improve the reliability of collected data and maximise the value of their network information.
Dotic’s solution is built around:
- ConnectField: a mobile application designed specifically for field operations and asset inspections
- ConnectServices: a Web GIS platform for centralising, visualising and managing geospatial data
ConnectField: a next-generation mobile application for field inspections
ConnectField enables field teams to perform inspections directly on site while working with existing GIS data.
Users can:
- view water, wastewater and stormwater networks on an interactive map
- accurately locate network assets such as valves, manholes, service connections and pipelines
- verify and update asset attributes, including diameter, material, condition and depth
- capture inspection data using structured digital forms
- assess asset condition and record defects, blockages or other anomalies
- document detailed field observations
- attach geotagged photographs to inspection records
The application adapts to operational workflows and simplifies data capture in the field, including in offline environments where network connectivity is limited or unavailable.
ConnectServices: centralise and manage inspection data
Data collected through ConnectField is automatically synchronised with ConnectServices, Dotic’s Web GIS platform.
The platform enables organisations to:
- visualise completed inspections on interactive maps
- centralise field data within a single geospatial environment
- track and manage identified defects and anomalies
- monitor and improve data quality
- maintain a complete history of inspections and maintenance activities
- generate structured inspection and intervention reports
- share information seamlessly across teams and departments
This seamless connection between field operations and GIS management provides greater visibility of network assets and supports more informed decision-making across the organisation.
Use case: auditing a drinking water and wastewater network
Before
- GIS data exported for field use
- reliance on paper maps or PDF plans
- unstructured field observations
- manual data entry back in the office
- delayed or incomplete updates to the GIS database
A time-consuming process that is difficult to manage, prone to errors and lacking full traceability.
Water and wastewater network data is centralised within ConnectServices.
Assets and inspection points are selected in the Web GIS platform, with dedicated inspection forms assigned to each survey programme.
Field teams then use ConnectField to carry out inspections directly on site.
During field operations, users can:
- inspect manholes and other network assets
- assess pipelines and sewer collectors
- identify defects such as blockages, settlement issues or operational failures
- record observations and any relevant asset information
All inspection data is captured directly within the mobile application.
Information is then synchronised automatically with the Web GIS platform, ensuring that network records remain accurate and up to date.
Operations, GIS and asset management teams can immediately access and analyse the data within ConnectServices to support maintenance planning and network management.
Benefits of Dotic's field inspection solution
A complete workflow from field data collection to operational use
• selection of areas to be inspected
• form configuration
• planning and assignment of assets to be inspected
• map-based network visualisation
• guided data entry
• accurate geolocation• offline operation
• visualisation of inspection results
• monitoring of collected field data
• data validation and management of follow-up inspections
• automated report generation
Audits tailored to the specific requirements of water and wastewater networks
The solution supports a wide range of inspection and audit activities, including:
Drinking water networks
- inspection of valves and network equipment
- verification of service connections
- updates to pipeline and asset records
Wastewater networks
- inspection of manholes
- assessment of sewer collectors
- verification of network connections
Stormwater networks
- locating drainage assets and structures
- inspection of stormwater collection networks
- updating outfall and discharge point records
Forms and inspection workflows can be tailored to regulatory requirements and the operational needs of water utility operators.
Benefits of Dotic's inspection solution for water infrastructure
Dotic’s comprehensive inspection and audit solution helps organisations:
- improve visibility of network assets and infrastructure
- enhance the accuracy and reliability of GIS data
- standardise and streamline field operations
- ensure full traceability of inspections and maintenance activities
- optimise maintenance planning and asset management strategies
- support faster and more informed decision-making
An approach designed for the challenges faced by water utility operators
Dotic’s approach is built around:
- ease of use for field teams
- structured inspection and maintenance workflows
- reliable and high-quality field data collection
- seamless integration between field operations and GIS
- flexibility to meet the specific requirements of wastewater and stormwater networks
Want to improve the management of your inspections and the reliability of your field data across water and wastewater networks?
Discover how ConnectField and ConnectServices can help you streamline field operations and maintain accurate, reliable network data over the long term.
