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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allow us to spatially visualize relationships, patterns, and trends in the world. GIS software is designed to capture, manage, analyze and display all forms of spatial data—from aerial photos and parcel lines to hydrants and transformers—there is something GIS can provide for everyone. GIS provides benefits for organizations of any size.
The Power of Mapping. Utilities require careful planning, able management, and constant maintenance to stay up to date. As a system expands, information may become scattered in a number of locations, making it difficult to access when needed the most. This creates an added strain on staff who may already have their hands full, stalling any plans for further growth.
DGR Engineering offers a smart solution to this problem. GIS allows your system to store all relevant information in one central location, assuring that the most accurate information is readily available whenever the need arises.
Types of Services
- Infrastructure Mapping Database Design
- GPS Mapping
- Web Maps
- Georeferencing
- Asset Management & Inspection
- Digitizing Hard Copy Maps
- GIS Modeling/ Hydraulics
- Watershed Mapping
- Photogrammetric Mapping
- FEMA Mapping
- Map Design and Production
- Printed Maps
- Training
- Right of Way Analysis
- Master Drainage Plans
- Offline Digital Maps
- Hydrologic Modeling
- 3D Modeling
- Google Earth Integration
- Turnkey Solutions
- Data Analysis
- Map Books
What GIS Can Do For You
- “Live” on-line maps keep everyone up to date
- Custom apps make maps accessible to everyone
- Instantly upload photos and documents of map features
- Improved communication
- Asset management
- Utility mapping
- Connect to outside data sources:
– County parcel database
– Satellite imagery
– Outage management system
– Modeling software
– SCADA
– AMR/AMI
Contact our GIS specialists to get started on your project today.
Control Systems & Automation
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)
Our team of experts can cater custom SCADA solutions for any size project.
Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA): a system for monitoring and controlling utility and industrial facilities (ex: electrical substation, power plant, water treatment plant). Computer hardware and software are networked and used to gather information and control processes from on site or remote facilities.
To serve our utility clients in today’s ever-evolving digital landscape, the DGR Engineering (DGR) electrical power department offers custom Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) solutions for our clients. SCADA functionality needs can vary widely based on characteristics of an individual utility. DGR’s experienced staff is uniquely equipped to provide solutions for any budget or functionality requirements. While many vendors and service providers are equipped to provide certain aspects of the projects, DGR offers comprehensive solutions.
Two types of SCADA systems are typically offered: The first is an enterprise SCADA system which comes with high-end features and dedicated support personnel. This enterprise option typically has a higher initial cost, requires greater staffing commitment, and an annual maintenance agreement.
DGR provides detailed assistance with the design, specification development, bidding, procurement, project management, as well as implementation of the enterprise SCADA system. DGR’s expertise enables us to specify a custom set of features, which will meet current needs, be scalable to accommodate future growth, and include cutting-edge network design and cybersecurity products. DGR reviews SCADA vendor bids and provides a recommendation for award. DGR works closely with utility staff and the vendor to design, train, and implement the new system.
Where an enterprise-class system is not required, an alternative SCADA solution can be designed and built by DGR. It is supported internally with off-the-shelf equipment and software. This solution produces a quality SCADA system with many similar features, with the benefit of lower initial and on-going maintenance costs. This SCADA solution involves working closely with utility personnel and IT staff to define the scope of work, budget, and schedule. Any necessary communication infrastructure modifications are then made, along with equipment and software procurement. DGR designs the system, builds databases, creates custom display screens, commissions the system, and trains utility staff.
Contact a SCADA specialist for more information and to get your project started.
As digital threats evolve, securing Operational Technology (OT) systems — the control systems and infrastructure, such as SCADA, ADMS, EMS, and industrial controls, that keep power and water flowing — is critical to safe, reliable utility operations. OT environments have their own operational realities, procedural requirements, and compliance standards, and effectively securing them requires specialized expertise many Information Technology (IT) teams lack.
DGR Engineering has partnered with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL), a recognized leader in the utility and cybersecurity industries, to design vendor-neutral cybersecurity solutions tailored to our clients’ OT systems. Our accredited cybersecurity engineers bring the utility-specific, hands-on OT expertise needed to close that gap.
- Comprehensive OT cybersecurity assessments, including maturity metrics, architecture review, network vulnerability analysis, and external risk exposure
- Customized vendor-neutral cyber defense solutions, including turnkey options, compatible with existing and new equipment
- Secure networking design, including OT/IT segregation and secure remote access
- OT policy development, including incident response, disaster recovery, information protection, physical security, remote access, security awareness policies, and more
- Ongoing system management, including baseline monitoring, event log management, and audit support
- Security awareness training to build a security-conscious culture
Protecting these systems is more than a technology investment — it’s a commitment to the safety, reliability, and resilience of the communities we serve.
DGR Engineering offers a “one-stop shop” for planning, designing, permitting, right-of-way and easement acquisition services, and construction administration needs.
DGR Engineering (DGR) has acquired easements for hundreds of miles of electric transmission and distribution line routes, and assisted numerous municipalities prepare and execute all necessary acquire the needed documents to allow the projects to be constructed.
We have worked with hundreds of landowners to provide agreeable terms to construct projects of all kinds and we’ve helped our clients educate landowners on the utility’s process in constructing and maintaining the infrastructure.
Electrical, Communication, and Underground Utility Easements
Utility companies are working to rebuild hundreds of miles of line route each year to update and maintain a reliable electrical grid in the regions they serve. While obtaining land easements and agreements is a critical component of this work, navigating the legalities of land and easement acquisition can be a daunting task for the utilities. The easements are crucial for protecting infrastructure from other entities, providing maintenance access and reducing overall cost to utilities.
Types of easements: gas, electrical transmission and distribution, communication, water transmission, and wastewater transmission.
Municipal Projects
Municipalities are continuing to improve infrastructure within their communities by reconstructing existing and new facilities throughout their cities. Land services is a key point in constructing these projects. After an engineer’s design is substantially complete will work with project managers to determine the projects needs for easements. With the municipal approved forms and agreements, the team begins developing the components needed for the project. We will then assist in acquiring the needed permanent roadway and utility or temporary construction easements needed to build the project. The easements are crucial for protecting infrastructure from other entities and providing legal permission to construct or work on a landowner’s property.
Types of easements: drainage, recreational trail, water, sewer, storm sewer, sidewalk, access, and temporary construction.
- Title Research
Perform a thorough search of the county records, produce quality title reports, work to address any encumbrances or barriers impending conveyances for the placement of utility infrastructure. - Document Preparation and Data Management
Develop easement templates for a client or develop documents for each affected property with a client’s approved easement template. We also coordinate with Client’s attorney to review documents to assure they are accurate and consistent prior to beginning acquisition. - Survey Coordination
Develop legal survey exhibits with legal descriptions for each parcel to accompany the easement document. - Project Management
Furnish engineering support as needed to acquire the easements for the parcels. - Construction Support
As the project continues through the construction phase, the land acquisition team maintains a presence between the client and landowner to address concerns that may arise during construction. - Negotiations and Acquisitions
Known for our caring, respectful negotiation skills and attention to detail, we take pride in our ability to establish a strong rapport with clients and landowners alike. - Damage Settlement
Work with landowners to determine a settlement on post construction damages. - GIS Reporting
Develop a map depicting the landowner parcels and acquisition progress. Deliver parcel map to Client in a desired file format.
Contact our Land Acquisition Specialists to get started on your project today.
Rural Water System #1 (RWS #1), Iowa’s first rural water system, was constructed in the mid‑1970s and now includes three treatment plants drawing from three water sources. Plant 1 uses the Hospers Well Field, a shallow alluvial aquifer near Sheldon, Iowa, while Plants 2 and 3 rely on shared groundwater sources near Sioux Center, Iowa, and Hudson, South Dakota. Due to the nature of the Hospers Well Field, Plant 1 was expected to eventually be classified as influenced groundwater (IGW), requiring more stringent treatment.
Need for Improvements
The IGW classification triggered a regulatory requirement for redundant filtration at Plant 1. Because Plant 1 supplies less than 20 percent of system demand, RWS #1 evaluated alternatives and selected a system‑wide solution rather than adding treatment at that location. Increasing capacity and redundancy at Plant 2 provided a more effective and flexible approach, strengthening overall system reliability and supporting future growth. DGR Engineering partnered with RWS #1 and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to develop a compliant and strategic plan.
Solution and Outcome
At Plant 2, aging steel gravity filters—originally built in 1975 and expanded in 1992—were replaced to increase capacity from 1,850 gpm to 3,000 gpm and meet redundancy requirements. Horizontal pressure filters were selected to maximize the existing footprint and improve operational efficiency, including simplified ammonia removal. A phased construction approach maintained treatment capacity throughout the upgrade. The improvements delivered a cost‑effective, long‑term solution that enhanced reliability, met regulatory requirements, and advanced system capacity goals.