Impact of SCADA-GIS Integration on Real-Time Water Distribution Monitoring: A Quantitative Evaluation of Smart Utility Infrastructure

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of SCADA-GIS integration on real-time water distribution monitoring in smart utility infrastructure by addressing the problem of fragmented monitoring environments in which Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems and Geographic Information Systems often operate separately, thereby limiting timely event localization, monitoring accuracy, and coordinated response. The purpose of the research was to quantitatively evaluate whether integrating operational and geospatial intelligence improves monitoring effectiveness in water utility settings. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional, case-based design, the study collected primary survey data from 214 technically relevant respondents drawn from smart utility and enterprise-like operational cases, including SCADA engineers, GIS analysts, control-room operators, maintenance supervisors, utility managers, and technical officers. The key independent variable was SCADA-GIS integration, measured through data synchronization, spatial integration, asset visibility, interoperability and information connectivity, and control coordination, while the dependent variable was real-time monitoring effectiveness, measured through monitoring accuracy, fault-detection efficiency, spatial-operational visibility, infrastructure response readiness, and overall monitoring effectiveness. The analysis plan used descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha reliability testing, Pearson correlation, and linear regression. Findings showed high perceived SCADA-GIS integration (M = 4.18, SD = 0.61) and high real-time monitoring effectiveness (M = 4.12, SD = 0.58). Reliability was strong, with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.89 for SCADA-GIS integration and 0.91 for real-time monitoring effectiveness. Correlation results revealed significant positive relationships with monitoring effectiveness (r = 0.72, p = 0.000), monitoring accuracy (r = 0.68, p = 0.000), fault-detection efficiency (r = 0.70, p = 0.000), spatial-operational visibility (r = 0.76, p = 0.000), and infrastructure response readiness (r = 0.64, p = 0.000). Regression analysis further showed that SCADA-GIS integration significantly predicted monitoring effectiveness (R² = 0.52, β = 0.72, F = 229.84, p = 0.000). The study therefore concludes that SCADA-GIS integration is a strategic digital capability that improves visibility, accuracy, and response readiness in modern water utility operations, with important implications for smart infrastructure investment, operational coordination, and digital transformation planning.