System Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Upgrade

The Bristol County Water Authority is currently in the process of upgrading its System Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) instrumentation system. A well designed SCADA system provides a water utility with the ability to efficiently monitor and control system operations such as pumping, treatment, and pressure levels. The collection of “real-time” and trending data allows us to discover and correct problems in the distribution system before they become major problems.

A basic SCADA system was originally installed when the cross bay pipeline was constructed in the late 1990s and that instrumentation technology has become outdated. The existing technology did provide us with information that was used to evaluate operations, but it was not always available in as timely a manner or as accurately as we desired.

This SCADA system upgrade will incorporate new radio communication which will instantaneously link all of the BCWA pump stations, storage tanks, control valves together. The operational information from those facilities will integrated into a software package which will allow us to review the operational status of those facilities at any time of the day from any location. The system alarm features will also provide prompt notification of pump failure, pressure loss, and any security issues that may occur, reducing our response time and subsequent impacts to our customers.

When fully operational, this new SCADA technology will enable us to view and analyze system information that was not readily available in the past, giving us the ability to maximize operational efficiencies, prioritize system improvements, reduce expenses, and provide the highest quality water to our customers.

 

3. Leak Detection Program

The BCWA has undertaken a comprehensive leak detection program to identify and eliminate water lost through underground pipe leaks. Water mains and service lines can fail as they age and the leakage is often not seen above ground. A bad leak can lose thousands of gallons of water a day so it is crucial to find and repair those leaks as quickly as possible.

The BCWA purchased a set of data logging leak correlators to provide employees with the survey tools necessary to find leaks on our pipes. The data loggers are placed on valves and hydrants and left out overnight. They are programed to wake up in the early morning hours when water flow is minimal and “listen” for leaks. What they actually hear and record are the vibrations on pipes caused by leaking water. By comparing the time it takes for the sound of a vibration to travel between data loggers our staff can pinpoint a leak location.

This data is downloaded from each logger and analyzed using an accompanying software package. Once verified, BCWA personnel can expedite the pipe repair and stop the water loss. This new technology will be used together with a traditional ground microphone survey to aggressively eliminate water lost through leakage. Each gallon saved by identifying and fixing a leak results in savings for all of our customers.