Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems have been used to monitor critical infrastructure systems in the U.S. utilities industry since the 1960’s.*SCADA systems give utility operators and supervisors a real-time and historical look into the performance of their system in order to operate more efficiently and effectively.
From 2012 to 2013, Freeport will upgrade its SCADA computer software system which is used to monitor both the Water and Wastewater services, including well sites, pressure reducing valve locations and lift stations. The improvements will not be noticeable to Freeport residents, but they will have many benefits for the City, including these top priorities.
Project goals
- Remove and replace SCADA systems at the plants, wells and lift stations, with an open architecture SCADA system that can be modified inhouse without the cost of service provider.
- Improve performance and control of pressure in the water system by increasing monitoring at the storage towers and tank.
- Allow operators to instantaneously view the entire system operation. All instrumentation, including pump, valve and equipment status, is literally at their fingertips.
In addition, SCADA can be accessed remotely should staff need to review and evaluate the system from anywhere in the world during normal or crisis situations.
- More precisely plan for future use in a range of conditions and situations thanks to historical trend screens and reporting software that provide a detailed look at the performance of every level, pressure, flow and concentration reading over the last hour, day, week, month or year.
- Automate routine equipment operations through the new tools and capabilities, some of which are described above. This will help both systems run more consistently and efficiently. It also frees personnel to concentrate on more important or unusual situations, as well as perform preventive maintenance to keep equipment running smoothly.
