When Alice “Shell” Johnson joined the City of New Richland, Minnesota in 2021 as wastewater operator, a GIS mapping system was technically in place—but nearly empty. Besides that dusty GIS system , the only reference for the community’s wastewater infrastructure was a paper map dating back to 1939, with no house numbers and no reflection of decades of changes.
“I’ll be honest,” Johnson said. “I’m not a fan of computers, and at first I wasn’t sure how I’d make it work.”
That changed immediately with training and support from PeopleService’s Jonathan McDonald. “Jonathan was very helpful. If I couldn’t figure something out right away, he was there every step of the way. That support made all the difference.”
Today, Johnson relies on GIS mapping daily to document wastewater service lines, mark televising results and log breaks or root intrusions directly on the map. That information helps her quickly determine whether a sewer backup is the city’s responsibility or the homeowner’s—eliminating confusion and saving valuable time.
She’s also expanded the system well beyond pipes and manholes. At the wastewater plant, she uses it to track equipment updates like new lighting and electrical work. She maps flood-prone areas to better respond during high water events, and records biosolids land applications field by field. “It’s like my own work order guide,” Johnson explained. “I can look back and see exactly when something was done and where.”
What began as an unfamiliar tool has now become an essential part of New Richland’s operations. The city’s infrastructure is better documented, easier to maintain and more resilient for the future. By capturing that knowledge in one system, Johnson ensures that New Richland won’t just benefit today—it will have the foundation it needs to serve the community for years to come.