Orleans advances integrated wastewater database to manage sewer expansion and nitrogen tracking

Orleans advances integrated wastewater database to manage sewer expansion and nitrogen trackingWorking with AECOM, the Massachusetts town is building a centralized GIS platform linking utility billing, permitting, and asset data to streamline its multi-phase sewer rollout and regulatory reporting.

AECOM is developing an ArcGIS Online database integrating town data from OpenGov, Munis, and assessor records.

The platform will track parcel-level sewer connection status, betterment values, and quarterly water use to calculate nitrogen loads.

A public-facing portal will allow residents to view their sewer phasing, while a secure internal version will aid staff in regulatory reporting to the Massachusetts DEP.

The system is expected to roll out by late 2026, featuring automated scripts to pull regular updates from existing systems of record.

The Town of Orleans, Massachusetts, is partnering with engineering firm AECOM to develop a centralized water and sewer database designed to streamline the management of its ongoing sewer expansion and support regulatory reporting. Presented at the August 13 Wastewater Management Advisory Committee meeting, the new system leverages Esri’s cloud-based ArcGIS Online platform to aggregate data from multiple municipal systems into a single interface. Rather than creating new data, the project focuses on integrating existing records from OpenGov (permitting and connection status), Munis (quarterly water billing accounts), and the town assessor’s database. According to AECOM representatives, the platform will feature an interactive map and spreadsheet views, allowing town staff to filter data by connection stage, sewer units, betterment values, and quarterly water usage. The system will use automated scripts to pull updates from the systems of record on a regular basis, ensuring data remains current without requiring manual entry. DPW Superintendent Rich Waldo noted that the tool will significantly improve internal workflows. Staff will be able to quickly extract mailing lists for specific sewer phases, track which parcels connected during specific timeframes, and access uploaded connection plans to assist contract operator Veolia with field maintenance and emergency response. Crucially, the database will serve as an accounting tool for the town's nitrogen management plan. By tying parcel-level water use records together with sewer connection status, the town can calculate consumptive use and anticipated nitrogen loads. This data is essential for fulfilling annual reporting requirements to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) under the new Pleasant Bay watershed permit. The database will feature tiered access levels. Internal staff will have full access to reporting and filtering capabilities, while a public-facing version will offer a streamlined, sanitized interface. The public portal will allow residents to search their property address to view basic wastewater information, such as their designated sewer phase and connection status. Addressing cybersecurity concerns, AECOM confirmed that the system utilizes end-to-end encryption and cloud-based security monitoring to protect sensitive municipal data. With committee support secured, AECOM will now proceed with system integration, targeting a rollout for the internal and public applications by the end of the year.