When managing hundreds of control valves across a sprawling water distribution system, accurate data and efficient maintenance scheduling can mean the difference between smooth operations and potential system failures. For Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD), serving 163,000 customers across 97 square miles in California, the challenge of maintaining 385 valves at 150 sites demands a sophisticated solution to enhance accuracy, streamline maintenance scheduling, and improve asset management.

The district's infrastructure includes 14 active wells, 70 active storage reservoirs, 55 booster pumping stations, and 44 pressure reducing stations, all connected by 743 miles of pipeline. Managing this complex network spanning from flat city terrain to mountainous rural areas efficiently requires precise coordination and accurate data — a challenge that EVMWD has tackled head-on through digital transformation.

The journey began serendipitously when operators discovered a QR code on a new Cla-Val pressure reducing valve. This discovery led to the implementation of Link2Valves, a data management platform specifically designed for water utilities. Water District Supervisor Brian Vigil recognized the potential immediately, saying "We were keen to improve our valve maintenance schedule and the first step in this process is knowing everything we can about each valve in our system. Then we have a much better picture on which stations need maintenance or budget planning for replacement."

One of the primary challenges facing EVMWD was maintaining accurate, up-to-date information about their valve infrastructure. "The information for each control valve was not up to date and therefore inaccurate in our GIS database," explains Vigil. "As operators, we would have to work closely with our GIS staff to update each valve, which can be a long process, and some information can get lost in translation."

The implementation process began with hands-on support from their Cla-Val representative, who helped input nearly every valve in the water distribution system into the platform, along with information on installation dates, sizes, functions. "This was extremely helpful in getting us started," notes Vigil. The team has since been systematically adding specific pilotry and set points on relief valves and reducing valves during their quarterly site visits.

The new program has streamlined the district’s approach to data management. The platform allows operators to collect and store accurate information directly from the field, including photographs, valve locations, settings, and complete service histories. This real-time data collection has significantly improved the accuracy of their asset information and eliminated the communication gaps that previously existed between field operators and GIS staff.