In cities across the country, aging infrastructure and limited resources often collide, leaving public works departments scrambling to do more with less. But in Orem, Utah, a better story is unfolding—one where the GIS and Public Works teams are leading digital innovation, cross-departmental collaboration, and location intelligence are reshaping how a city manages its most essential systems.
At the heart of this transformation are two powerful platforms: Elements, a customizable asset and work management system, and ArcGIS, the industry leader in GIS, mapping and location intelligence. Together, they’ve become the digital backbone of Orem’s GIS-centric public works operations—from wastewater compliance to pavement preservation—empowering teams to work smarter, faster, and more transparently.
“Our goal has always been to break down silos between divisions,” said Cody Steggell, GIS Manager for the City of Orem. “When water, streets, sewer, and stormwater can share data and workflows in real time, we’re not just solving problems
faster—we’re delivering better service to the community.”
Grease, Grit, and a Best-of-State Award
Olivia Larson, a GIS Analyst with the city, has helped lead a dramatic overhaul of Orem’s Pre-Treatment program, which monitors businesses for compliance with wastewater regulations. “We used to do everything on paper,” she says. “Now, they can do it all in the field—on a tablet, in real time.”
Using Elements integrated with ArcGIS, inspectors can now log pH levels, track chemical tests, and generate inspection notices on-site. “They used to have to type the same data into three different systems,” Larson explains. “Now, it’s all in one place.”
The system automates the chain of custody for lab samples, ensuring regulatory compliance and reducing human error. “We worked with the lab to redesign the form,” Larson says. “Now it prints directly from the truck, gets hand-signed, and goes out with the sample.”
ArcGIS plays a critical role in this workflow. Inspectors use interactive maps to locate grease traps and sample points—often hidden or difficult to access—and view real-time business contact information. “It’s all pulled from the GIS,” Larson says. “If they need to talk to a business owner, the phone number and email are right there.”
The results speak for themselves. The program has not only improved efficiency but also earned statewide recognition. “It cuts their work in half,” Larson says. “And it won the Best of State award from the Water Environment Association of Utah for the City’s Pre-Treatment Program because of how much we’ve improved our processes using Elements and ArcGIS software together. The whole process has become so efficient and well-documented that it really stood out.”
A Culture of Collaboration and Innovation
What ties these stories together is a shared philosophy: build GIS-based solutions that reflect real-world workflows. “Always make the electronic process mirror the real-life process,” says Roger Dunn, Orem GIS Administrator, “Not the other way around.”
That mindset has fostered a culture of GIS-centered innovation across Orem’s public works divisions. Whether it’s hydrant flushing, sewer inspections, or road resurfacing, teams are using Elements and ArcGIS to streamline operations, reduce redundancy, and make data-driven decisions.
“We’re not just building software,” emphasizes Dunn. “We’re building systems that help people make better decisions.”
Buxton agrees, “I think we have one of the best road inspection programs in the state”.
And in Orem, that’s just the beginning.
This story is part of an ongoing series highlighting how the City of Orem is using GIS and digital tools to transform public works. Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes looks at the people, processes, and platforms driving smarter infrastructure and better service delivery.
