GO TO: ABOUT THE PROJECT | WORK SCHEDULE | FAQ

Global Navigation Satellite System Mapping (GNSS) Project

The Board of Water Supply (BWS) has contracted Dudek for a two-year project to locate and collect Geographic Information System (GIS) data for water system features throughout Oahu. The project will map about 46,000 features – BWS-owned valves, meters, and hydrants – using high accuracy Real Time Kinematic (RTK) Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology. Many of these features are underground in roadways and sidewalks, making them hard to find and access.

dudek gnss project

This project, contracted for $500,000, is a continuation of a previous effort from about 10 years ago. The BWS used Global Positioning Satellite technology to map most of its water system features. However, it was unable to collect data for all of them at the time and some features have since been added and/or moved.

To collect GNSS data for each feature, the contractor’s employee will:

  • Locate the feature, place an antenna pole over it for a few seconds to get GNSS positioning and record the data in a tablet before moving on to the next feature.
  • Possibly take photos if field conditions do not match BWS data.

The BWS is mailing out flyers to notify customers about a week in advance of the contractor’s work in an area. Work will take place Monday through Friday, from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Water service will not be affected. The work will occur in the public right-of-way. In very rare instances when an asset is in a BWS easement within private property, someone will contact the property owner in advance to notify them that access is needed.

No customer shall be asked for any type of payment by any BWS employee or contractor for this project.

To address concerns that the project may be used to mask illegal activity:

  • All contractor employees will have special BWS Contractor ID badges.
    gnss dudek contractor badge
  • Contractor employees will carry a letter and special business cards from the BWS.
  • The BWS will post project information on its website at boardofwatersupply.com, as well as on social media – Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor – for customers to check on work in their area.
  • If customers spot suspicious activity or have questions about the project, they can contact the BWS via:
    • A special hotline at 748-6500 – monitored 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. IMPORTANT – If calling before 7:45 a.m. or after 4:30 p.m., please leave your name and phone number so that we may return your call.
    • Email at contactus@hbws.org - monitored 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Work Schedule

See map below for planned work. Check back regularly for any last-minute updates.

Project Work Area Map

Search by zip code to see if work has been scheduled for your area. Share a map on Facebook or Twitter, or by email. Note: details posted on the map are subject to change. Please check the Work Schedule section of this page for any additional updates from the BWS Communications Office.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this project involve?

Over at least the next two years, the Board of Water Supply (BWS) contractor Dudek will be capturing and documenting Geographic Information System (GIS) data  of its water system throughout Oahu.

  • About 46,000 features to be mapped – BWS-owned valves, meters, and hydrants.
  • Many of them are underground in roadways and sidewalks, and hard to find and access.
  • Dudek staff to locate and map these items to improve BWS asset management.
    • Using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology.
  • Continuation of previous effort from 10 years ago.

What does the specific task involve?

dudek gnss project profile viewThe workers will go out into the community between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Working independently, each will carry a pole with an attached device for GNSS positioning, and a tablet to document and photograph issues found with locating the features or with the attributes in the field. The work performed will be quick:

  • The worker will locate feature, hold pole over the feature for a few seconds to get satellite mapping data, before moving on to the next spot.
  • May also require taking photos if field conditions do not match BWS data.

 

 

Why is the BWS undertaking this project?

This is a continuation of a previous effort from about 10 years ago. The BWS used Global Positioning Satellite technology to map most of its water system features. However, it was unable to collect data for all of them at the time and some features have since been added and/or moved.

The BWS’s accurately mapped features saves time for BWS employees and avoids further inconvenience to BWS customers:

  • Accurately mapped valves:
    • Saves time it takes to isolate a main break and minimize the outage, especially when the roadway is under water. 
    • Reduces need to extend outage further when isolation valves are mapped accurately.
  • Accurately mapped meters
    • Saves time spent to locate a meter if/when manual read required.
    • Saves time to shut water off at the meter.
    • Avoids the need to extend water shut off to other properties to make repairs when meter cannot be located.

How much does the project cost?

The project will cost about $500,000.

How long will the actual work take?

Work to collect the satellite data with the positioning pole will take a couple of minutes per feature.

Will the BWS notify customers in advance of doing the work?

Yes. BWS is mailing out flyers to notify customers about 1 week in advance of the contractor’s work in an area. 

In very rare instances when an asset is in a BWS easement within private property, someone will contact the property owner in advance to notify them that access is needed.

Is there a way to identify the contractor’s employees who are working on this project?

Employees from Dudek will be wearing orange safety vests with their company logo. They will have identification badges indicating they are BWS contractors and carry project business cards and a letter from the BWS. They may be on foot or in vehicles that are marked with Dudek’s logo.

dudek safety vest   gnss dudek contractor badge   

gnss dudek contractor vehicle with magnet decal     gnss dudek contractor magnet decal closeup

Will I still have water service during this work?

Yes. Water service will NOT be disrupted during the work.

Will I be billed for the project?

No. Customers will NOT be billed for this project. No customer shall ever be approached for any type of payment by any BWS employee or contractor for this project. This project is funded by BWS in its Capital Improvement Project budget. There will be no additional costs passed on to ratepayers.

What time will the work take place?

Work will occur Monday-Friday, from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

There is activity occurring on my street that could be related to this project, but I am not sure. How can I check if work is being done in my area?

The BWS regularly updates information about where the contractor is working via a special webpage at www.boardofwatersupply.com/gnss and its social media channels – Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor.

What if I have other questions or concerns?

If customers are concerned, or have questions about the project, they can contact the BWS via:

  • Phone at 748-6500 – monitored Monday-Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    IMPORTANT – If calling before 7:45 a.m. or after 4:30 p.m., please leave your name and phone number so that we may return your call the next business day.
  • Email at contactus@hbws.org – monitored Monday-Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Related Links

Updated: 12/30/2021