虽然地理信息系统（GIS）仍被认为具有一定的创新性，但它们目前已在许多供水设施中投入使用，并正在许多其他设施中开发。随着这类技术被整合到水务设施的工作结构中，在工作场所应用GIS的全部好处的能力方面出现了新的问题。必须解决的一个特殊问题是，同一地理区域内其他机构开发的GIS数据在多大程度上可能与水务公司开发的数字信息相关联。本文讨论了使用外部机构的GIS数据所涉及的技术和业务问题。

While geographic information systems (GIS) are still considered somewhat innovative, they are now in place in a number of water utilities and are under development in many others. As such technology becomes integrated into the working fabric of water utilities, new issues and questions emerge regarding the ability to apply the full benefits of GIS in the workplace. One particular issue that must be addressed is the extent to which GIS data developed by other agencies in the same geographic area may tie in with digital information developed by the water utility. This paper discusses both the technical and business issues involved in using GIS data from outside agencies.