Geocoding Applications for Enhancing Urban Water Supply Network Analysis

Geospatial tools and geocoding systems play an increasingly significant role in the modernization and operation of municipal water utility networks. This research explored how geocoding systems could improve network management, facilitate leak detection, and enhance hydraulic modeling accuracy. Various geocoding services, including Google, Bing Maps, and OpenStreetMap APIs were analyzed using address data from a small Central European municipality. The analysis was performed in February and March of 2024. The accuracy and efficiency of these systems in handling spatial data for domestic water networks were assessed and results showed that geocoding accuracy depended on the quality of the service provider databases and the formatting of input data. Google proved the most reliable, while Bing and OpenStreetMap were less accurate. Additionally, the Location Database developed by Lechner Knowledge Center was used as a reliable local reference for comparison with global services. Geocoding results were integrated into GIS softwares (Google Earth ver. 7.3.6.9796, QGIS ver. 3.36, ArcGIS ver 10.8.2) to enable spatial analysis and comparison of geographic coordinates. The findings highlight geocoding’s critical role in efficient water network management, particularly for mapping consumer data and rapidly localizing leaks and breaks. Our findings directly support hydraulic modeling tasks, contributing to sustainable operations and cost-effective interventions.