The Gwinnett County Blueprint: How Investing in Data Management Unlocked $1.8M in Annual Savings
While saving over $1.8 million annually is an impressive feat, it's just the start of the success story for Gwinnett County's Department of Water Resources. The real triumph lies in the data-driven culture they built, a transformation sparked by a strategic shift away from outsourced data management. We spoke with Lauren Wilder, a Data Analyst at the department, who explained how their partnership with Aquatic Informatics and the decision to empower their in-house team with the Water Information Management Solution Hach WIMS turned their data into their most valuable asset.
Building a Data Powerhouse from the Ground Up
The first step was a digital cleanup. Using the Hach WIMS Platform, the team spent three years meticulously cleaning the database, eliminating old variables, and building dynamic dashboards from scratch. A key challenge was creating a system that worked for everyone—from operators on the plant floor to management in the central office—without being tailored to any single individual.
Their solution? Robust, multi-layered dashboards that allow users to drill down into specifics without getting overwhelmed. "We have at least one [dashboard] for all of our facilities," Wilder mentions, explaining how they are broken down for both management and operations, creating a single source of truth for the entire department.
Unlocking a Six-Figure Monthly ROI
With a clean and accessible data system in place, the team could start targeting major inefficiencies. One of the more impactful examples comes from their gas-to-energy generator. By feeding the right data into Hach WIMS, they were able to optimize its performance and unlock incredible returns.
The financial results speak for themselves. In our new video, Lauren breaks down exactly how these data-driven optimizations are saving the county an incredible sum.
See how Gwinnett County saves upwards of $150,000 a month in our latest video [link here].
Gaining Confidence Through Proactive Insights
The value of a well-managed data system extends far beyond the initial ROI. For Gwinnett County, it has become an essential tool for mitigating risk and ensuring compliance. The system gives them a crucial heads-up before critical equipment fails, allowing for proactive maintenance.
A once-troublesome lime system, for instance, is now monitored through Hach WIMS, which alerts the team to potential issues. Lauren explains how this has helped improve the consistency of the water they treat.
Learn more about their approach to predictive maintenance in this short video.
This newfound confidence in their data has made the Hach WIMS platform an indispensable part of their daily workflow. As Lauren recently put it, the system is now completely integral to their operations.
The Secret to Success: Fostering True Team Buy-In
A powerful tool is only effective if people use it. Gwinnett County's success hinged on achieving department-wide buy-in, a goal made possible by a user-centric platform and a collaborative approach.
Lauren’s team didn’t just introduce a new software; they brought a solution directly to the field. They sat with operators, listened to their needs, and used the flexibility of Hach WIMS to build the exact tools and metrics they were missing. This process was made easier by a platform designed for its users. According to Wilder, the platform’s unique ability to foster this kind of user collaboration makes it more effective than 90% of the other software she has worked with.
By including operators in the process, they gave everyone a sense of ownership. As Lauren advises, "You want [the system] to be part of your team." For Gwinnett County, Hach WIMS has become that essential team member, driving efficiency from the plant floor to the executive office.
See more on how to leverage Hach WIMS for you and your business.
