TAMPA, Fla. – When hurricane and tropical storm season arrives in Florida, there is always the fear that heavy rains could flood homes, make streets impassable, and disrupt daily routines. Knowing the condition of stormwater infrastructure allows municipalities to minimize flooding, protect property, and respond quickly when severe weather hits.
DRMP Vice President Scott Garth, PE, LEED AP, ND, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Group Leader Mark Brown, GISP, will present “Enhancing Stormwater System Assessments with GIS Integration” at the APWA 2026 Florida Public Works Expo on April 7 at 2:30 p.m., at the Hilton Tampa Downtown and Tampa Convention Center.
Public works professionals, engineers, city staff, and local government leaders will learn actionable approaches to enhance stormwater inspections, improve decision-making, and protect communities from Florida’s frequent storms. The session will also cover practical strategies for scaling GIS-driven stormwater programs, including data visualization, risk scoring, and collaborative workflows. Attendees will gain insight into improving communication between engineering, operations, and maintenance teams while supporting long-term asset management.
“Our GIS team is always innovating to make stormwater inspections more efficient,” Brown said. “By streamlining complex data, we help agencies save time, reduce costs, and make proactive decisions that improve system performance and community resilience.”
Stormwater Culvert
The presentation will also highlight how combining field inspections with GIS technology transforms stormwater management, enabling municipalities to prioritize repairs, extend the life of critical infrastructure, and strengthen community resilience.
Garth and Brown will showcase lessons from DRMP’s partnership with Hillsborough County Public Works on a project where the firm inspected more than 800 critical stormwater pipes, many over 30 years old. To manage this large-scale project efficiently, DRMP developed a GIS-based workflow using ESRI Field Maps. Field crews used tablets and smartphones to inspect each pipe, record condition data, and attach geotagged photos, while office staff monitored results and tracked progress in real time. This system created a transparent, collaborative approach to managing stormwater infrastructure and informed strategic planning for maintenance and repairs.
Stormwater Culvert
Stormwater infrastructure must be routinely evaluated for obstructions, structural deficiencies, safety issues, and signs of illicit discharges that can impair system performance. Regular evaluations of pump stations and culverts – including pumps, valves, electrical systems, and structural components – help ensure these assets remain reliable, especially during high-intensity rainfall events. Proactive inspections and maintenance reduce emergency repair costs, extend service life, and support regulatory compliance and resiliency goals.
Drawing on his experience inspecting hundreds of culverts, Garth knows the value of integrating GIS into field assessments.
“After decades of manually collecting data on these systems, I know how time-consuming and critical this work can be,” Garth said. “Integrating GIS into our inspections makes the process far more efficient while still helping communities prevent small issues from becoming major problems.”
About DRMP
Since 1977, DRMP has earned a reputation as a trusted multidiscipline engineering firm that approaches challenges differently. What began as a small Florida-based firm has grown into a Southeastern powerhouse with over 700 employees across 23 offices. We partner with clients to deliver smart, sustainable infrastructure that helps communities thrive.
Ranked among Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms in the United States, DRMP is known for solving complex challenges through technical expertise, innovative thinking, and collaboration. We value connection, creativity, and a welcoming, engaging culture that empowers employees to grow their careers. As we continue to expand, we remain committed to the principles that have guided us from the start.
