As part of the University of Minnesota’s commitment to public outreach, U-Spatial is leveraging geographic information systems (GIS) to tackle real-world problems. 

Nationally recognized U-Spatial staff, through continued partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health, led the development of the Lead Infrastructure Transparency Tool (LITT) — an interactive map to display service line material throughout the state.

Mapping a lead-free future 

Minnesota’s lead service line replacement effort stems from a federal mandate to remove outdated piping by 2037.

Service lines are the connecting pipes bringing drinking water from water mains to properties. Lead is a neurotoxin that is especially harmful to children. Lead from service lines can leach into drinking water as they corrode, making replacement of these pipes a top priority.

U-Spatial was contracted to do the mapping and database management for LITT. The team involved a large interdisciplinary group of specialists and developers at the Duluth and Twin Cities campuses. Integral to the project were GIS Developer Marylee Murphy and Research Associate Steve Graham in Duluth; U-Spatial Director Len Kne and GIS Specialists Shaam Adam, Ian Cummings, and Liz Andriacchi in the Twin Cities. A rotating group of undergraduate and graduate student researchers was also enlisted to help manage such vast and complex data. 

“This is an example of a good partnership, with U-Spatial, the Minnesota Department of Health,  Minnesota Rural Water, consulting engineering firms, and the public water supplies, that has impacted every Minnesotan who is attached to a public water supply,” says Murphy.

The core of the work involved taking data from nearly a thousand public water supplies across Minnesota and meticulously standardizing it into a cohesive, large-scale database.

To build the map, U-Spatial staff used Esri software and the University’s ArcGIS Online organization to host the geospatial data. 

The result is an interactive online map designed to be a vital public resource that allows residents to see if their water line needs to be replaced and provides policymakers with data to set priorities.

The Spatial University

The University has been dubbed one of the world's first “Spatial Universities” for its early interest in spatial thinking and advancement of mapping technology. 

As such, a key focus area of the Elevate Extraordinary 2030 strategic roadmap is for the University to continue to lead in the science of “where” through data-based decision-making and community-based problem-solving through mapping and spatial technologies.

Geospatial storytelling has broad applications across disciplines. Along with the LITT, U-Spatial continues to lead on projects in Minnesota, including the Minnesota LakeBrowser on water quality and interactive county-level Hazard Mitigation Plans, a first in the nation. 

“What excites me most is that we have been able to get this data into the hands of the public,” adds Murphy.

No matter the project, U-Spatial’s online and in-person services at the Duluth and Twin Cities campuses are open to all to present information in a compelling, interactive and easy-to-understand format.

Learn more about U-Spatial.