Water is a strategic issue for industry, representing both a business opportunity and potential future risk to sustainable operations. Businesses are directly affected by contamination of surface and subsurface sources, over-pumping and inadequate planning and utilization patterns. In response to these challenges, the US BCSD has set a goal of identifying a specific water project that will yield tangible results through integrated strategies and solutions.
The US BCSD is working with member company URS Corporation in developing a GIS database designed to identify industrial water reuse potential in the greater Houston, Texas area. The project team intends to produce a baseline GIS database that will include water sources, locations, water quality, and volume for data query, integration, and dissemination.
URS will work with the US BCSD to organize an Advisory Panel for the project made up of 7-10 municipal utility and industrial firm representatives, who will provide support and perspective in the development of the survey questionnaire, review of the reclaimed water geodatabase for content and utility, and testing the web-based management tool.
Data developed during this research initiative will support future regional and statewide water planning initiatives. At the culmination of all project tasks, the URS Team will integrate all project data and tools to interface with the Texas Water Development Board portal, which currently utilizes internet-based mapping technology to significantly improve access to water resource information.
