MSA Professional Services, Inc. (MSA) has been recognized for its participation in the Minnesota Lead Service Line Mapping and Data Display Project, which recently received a Minnesota Governor’s Certificate for Exemplary Geospatial Projects from the Minnesota Geospatial Advisory Council (GAC).

Governor’s Certificate awards are presented to projects that exemplify “a commitment to coordinated, affordable, reliable, and effective use of GIS to improve services within Minnesota.” The Minnesota Lead Service Line Mapping and Data Display Project brought together 18 engineering consulting firms to assess and monitor over 1,000 public water systems statewide for lead service line material and contamination risk. The firms created a centralized GIS-driven online database which allows users to search for and track potential replacement at 1.5 million addresses connected to public water systems in Minnesota. The compilation of the data was conducted through comprehensive service line inventory, with MSA providing engineering and GIS services in partnership with 10 clients across the state.

“MSA is proud to be part of improving the safety of public drinking water systems in Minnesota,” remarked MSA GIS Team Leader, Jeff Powell. “Since the 2020 update to the EPA Lead and Copper Rule, we’ve helped Upper Midwest communities inventory water systems and services to achieve compliance, upgrade outdated drinking water networks, and expand and modernize assets with GIS. We applaud project stakeholders for creating this centralized geospatial tool that enhances public health awareness and supports homeowners — well beyond regulatory compliance.”

This project was led by the Minnesota Department of Health in coordination with the Minnesota Rural Water Association, U-Spatial at the University of Minnesota, and 18 consulting engineering firms. The Governor’s Certificate award was presented October 3, 2025, at the 2025 Minnesota GIS/LIS Consortium Annual Conference in Duluth, Minnesota.