Water Online

June 2012

Water Online the Magazine gives Water & Wastewater Engineers and end-users a venue to find project solutions and source valuable product information. We aim to educate the engineering and operations community on important issues and trends.

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Technology borough's search for a new control system included some strict requirements: • State-of-the-art technology that unifies the plant processes into a single system with a high degree of reliability; • Ability to expand and move with the borough into the future; • Ability to work within budget constraints. Replacing several outdated, non-supported systems with one unified platform significantly reduced plant costs by decreasing spare parts expenditures and time spent pursu- ing multiple vendors for support. New reliable compo- nents reduced plant downtime, which had been frequently required in order to replace parts with the old systems. The control SCADA server, located in the plant's office and laboratory, maintains constant communication with the telemetry unit located at its Laurel Mill Reservoir. Important information from the SCADA remote terminal units is read- ily available to the control system and desktops of Ridgway supervisors and managers, enabling faster and more effective decision making. Operators who used to spend a total of two hours per day manually checking reservoir water levels Arsenic Removal for Small Water Systems Isolux Technologies provides systems for removal of arsenic, boron, chromium, lead, and other contaminants from drinking water and wastewater • Packaged systems for all sizes from Point-Of-Use to 450 gpm • No backwash required • Unique cartridge design eliminates bulk media handling • NSF Std. 61 certifi ed • Cartridge return program available Isolux Technologies Division of MEL Chemicals, Inc. Phone: (800) 366-4850 isolux@meichem.com • www.zrpure.com 18 Water Online The Magazine, Cleanwater Edition ■ wateronline.com 20-gpm Module Shown can now dedicate those hours focusing on improving plant processes and water quality. The new controls have greatly increased the efficiency of many Ridgway operations. One example is improvements to the extremely sensitive and complex backwashing system, a cyclic process in which filters are periodically washed out to remove sediment. With the new control platform, Ridgway now utilizes only 15,000 gallons of water, versus approxi- mately 20,000 gallons needed previously, translating into a 25% reduction in water and chemical usage during each backwash process. Before, important plant data was collected and compiled manually from each separate control system. Now the con- trol system provides approximately 90% of the information required to complete EPA reports . Today's advanced automation technologies can help tackle tough financial, environmental, and efficiency challenges. To fully reap the benefits of automation, all options should be carefully evaluated. This is best accomplished through master automation planning that is based on a strategic vision for the organization's long-term needs and an understanding of how automation technology can address these needs today and well into the future. Increasingly, forward-thinking munici- palities are developing an integrated automation master plan that lays the foundation for strategically unifying operations throughout the entire ser- vice area in a phased approach, over time — 5, 10, or even 15 years. This enables organizations to expand and take advantage of new technologies as circumstances dictate. 75-gpm Module Shown The tide of this current economic climate is beginning to turn, and oper- ational, regulatory, environmental, and economic issues facing the water and wastewater industry are continuing to evolve. Amidst this shifting landscape, one thing remains unchanged: the need for municipalities and region- al authorities to do more with less. Deploying advanced automation solu- tions can help organizations effectively address these challenges, enabling them to be good stewards of the pub- lic assets entrusted to them not only today, but well into the future. Doug Johnson is director of business development for Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions. He holds a B.S. in electrical engineering (magna cum laude) from West Virginia University and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh's Katz Graduate School of Business. Johnson is a member of the Water Environment Federation and the American Water Works Association.

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