In 2010 about 84% of the global population (6.74 billion people) had access to piped water supply through house connections or to an improved water source through other means than house, including standpipes, "water kiosks", protected springs and protected wells. However, about 14% (884 million people) did not have access to an improved water source and had to use unprotected wells or springs, canals, lakes or rivers for their water needs.

A clean water supply, especially so with regard to sewage, is the single most important determinant of public health. Destruction of water supply and/or sewage disposal infrastructure after major catastrophes (earthquakes, floods, war, etc.) poses the immediate threat of severe epidemics of waterborne diseases, several of which can be life-threatening. (Source: Wikipedia)

Sufficient water supply is needed to cover the public demand. The source of the water could be from groundwater (aquifers), surface water (lakes and rivers), conservation and the sea through desalination. However the water has to go through several types of processes before it can be consumed without affecting our health, while it also could be reused for landscaping, irrigation or industrial use. In accordance to this, data maintenance of water treatment for a vast number of consumer could require complicated administrative and management accomplishment.

On the 15th of September 2011, GE Energy (NYSE: GE) announced the release of GE’s Smallworld*Water Office software solution, a suite of data models, applications and integration products designed to help water supply and drainage utilities meet their current and future spatial asset management needs.(Source: http://www.cisionwire.com/general-electric-news/r/ge-energy-launches-new-smallworld--water-office-software-solution-for-water-supply-and-drainage-netw,c7956)