Case Study: City of Ames achieves real-time water-distribution visibility and faster leak response with Trimble e-Builder

Ames, Iowa Gains Critical Insight Into Water Distribution System with Remote Monitoring

The City of Ames Public Works and Water & Pollution Control faced slow, imprecise water‑main leak detection and lacked real‑time pressure data to guide responses. Manual testing made it difficult to locate breaks accurately or define boundaries for boil‑water advisories, and the city needed a monitoring system separate from the treatment plant SCADA that met strict cybersecurity requirements.

A Trimble solution—Telog pressure and level sensors paired with Trimble Unity Remote Monitoring and an ArcGIS connector—was deployed to deliver secure, wireless real‑time data, dashboards and alerts. The system reduced manual inspections, improved situational awareness and asset management, and enabled a targeted boil‑water advisory that limited impact to three businesses after an early break; Ames is now expanding the sensor network to close remaining blind spots.

City of Ames

Dustin Albrecht

Environmental Specialist