Water Delivery Safety and Infrastructure Reliability: Integrating Failure Data and GIS in the Planning of Water Supply System Maintenance

In recent years, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and their associated databases have become essential tools in the management of water supply infrastructure. Their application in water utilities extends beyond public health protection and now plays a pivotal role in network operation, maintenance planning, and risk analysis. This study focuses on the integration of GIS tools, operational data, and failure records in the risk - based management of water distribution systems, with particular attention to minimizing disruptions in water supply to consumers. A fundamental requirement for reliable operation of a water supply system is detailed knowledge of its network structure, operating conditions, technical status, and historical data on system failures. Modern GIS platforms, especially when integrated with other digital tools such as SCADA systems, hydraulic models, and monitoring software, provide a robust framework for this. One of the most valuable GIS functionalities for both water suppliers and consumers is the systematic registration of failures in the water distribution network. Failure logs, compiled over several years, offer critical insights into the causes, frequency, and seasonality of breakdowns. These dataset s serve as the foundation for assessing infrastructure reliability and planning targeted maintenance interventions. This study presents an example of failure analysis conducted on a selected water supply network in Poland. The analysis highlights dominant failure causes and their temporal distribution. Using GIS - based numerical maps and failure databases, spatial distribution and intensity of pipe damage were evaluated. This facilitated the identification of high - risk areas and pipelines with elevated failure rates, which pose the greatest threat to continuous water supply. Risk mapping based on failure frequen cy and infrastructure condition supports decision - making in the allocation of repair resources and scheduling of rehabilitation works. This approach not only improves the effectiveness of maintenance teams but also reduces the risk of service interruptions. Moreover, the methodology is aligned with broader European policies such as the INSPIRE Directive, which promotes harmonized spatial data infrastructures as a basis for environmental and risk assessments. In an era where informatization drives operational efficiency, GIS and related information systems offer unmatched potential in the risk assessment and management of water distribution infrastructure. Their ability to process and visualize complex datasets transforms raw operational data into actionable intelligence. The outcome is a proactive maintenance strategy that enhances the resilience and security of water supply systems, ultimately ensuring uninterrupted service delivery to consumers.