Federal Incentives Help Water Utilities

Many utilities face dwindling tax bases, making water conservation and equipment upgrades difficult  to achieve. The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) implemented the WaterSMART program in 2010 to combat this problem. The DOI works with state and local governments in establishing efficient water usage, water integration and energy policies that support sustainability and water conservation. WaterSMART helps utilities solve current and future water supply challenges such as water quality degradation, land use, declining ground water levels, aging water infrastructures and population growth. Since its inception, WaterSMART has awarded over $200 million in grants and Title XVI dollars to water districts, municipalities, universities and tribal nations.  

WaterSMART offers utilities helpful information, research and financial support in key areas to achieve water conservation. They include:

• Water and energy efficiency
• System optimization
• Advanced water treatment techniques
• Watershed management
• Landscape conservation
• Basin studies
• Feasibility studies   
• Water recycling and reuse   

Mission Proactive in Sustainability and Water Conservation

The Mission system offers several reports and features that assist with sustainability and water conservation initiatives. These include pump variance reports, runtime versus rainfall reports, data downloads and spreadsheets for comparative studies, the Tank and Well control system and analog inputs for level monitoring and flow reports.

Mission also assists in water reservoir monitoring. This type of monitoring allows utilities to better manage valuable water resources. By connecting a level transducer to an on-board analog input,

users receive real-time alarms and trending analog data. Alarms notify personnel if the level of a reservoir crosses the low or high alarm set point. Analog data can be viewed via the web portal in tabular, graph or chart recorder formats. Analog data is also available on Supergraph. Historical information helps personnel identify problem areas.   

Corbett Water District in Oregon received a low level alarm on one of their reservoirs. The water

A Mission RTU monitors the level of a Corbett Water District Reservoir. Source:www.corbettwaterdistrict.com.

district manager logged into the web portal and viewed Supergraph to better understand the problem. Supergraph displayed a dramatic decrease in the reservoir level. It was determined that a water main break had occurred. The alarm allowed personnel to respond quickly and replace 20 feet of cracked PVC pipe. Without the Mission system, the water loss could have been much worse.

The latest WaterSMART grants target states that have the greatest need for water conservation and reclamation. Click here for more information on conservation-related government grants, resources and information.  

A Georgia utility uses the Mission system to monitor a bypass pump while a new lift station is being built.

• Engine temperature: If an engine over temperature event occurs, trending data can be analyzed via Supergraph to identify the severity of the problem. High temperature alarms can also be set up to avoid equipment damage.
• Voltages: Most portable pumps rely on a large 12V starter battery. Since the AC power input will not be used, you can hook up the large 12V battery to it and receive a voltage report. Contact Mission Technical Support for configuration before connecting the large battery. Technical Support can also assist you in using an analog input to monitor voltages readings from a generator.
• Fuel level: Receive low fuel level alarms by wiring intrinsically safe analog fuel gauges or low fuel level floats to the Mission RTU.
• Runtimes: Tracking pump, engine or generator runtimes can be used for billing purposes or to schedule routine maintenance such as oil changes. The Mission system can also send runtime alarms if runtimes exceed the user-selected maximum per hour or day.

• Install rubber shock mounts between the RTU and the trailer. This isolates the hardware from the vibration.  
• Use thread-locking fluid on the printed circuit board, radio and enclosure screws to lock them in place. This adhesive is used on screws and bolts to prevent loosening, leakage and corrosion.

The Mission RTU, mounted in the wooden box, monitored the trailer-mounted portable pump.

Cellular Managed SCADA

Retirement Stopgap  

About a third of water and wastewater utility workers will retire by 2018, according to the 2008 Water Environment Federation report. Over 79 million baby boomers will be reaching retirement age in the next 10 years. According to a study authored by Jones and Henry Engineers for a WEFTEC presentation, funding deficits, heightened federal security and mounting regulations under the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water Acts are making matters worse.

Many municipalities have addressed the skilled worker shortage by adopting field automation and mobile computing tools like wireless SCADA. Wireless SCADA has proven highly effective at increasing worker productivity in the field by broadening access to operational information and diagnostics. This remote integration has helped utilities incorporate data and analysis into planning and maintenance. Furthermore, young employees are attracted to modern technology, especially smart phones and cloud-based services.  

Cellular SCADA Helps Utilities Do More With Less

Mary Mason, senior control systems specialist with Jones and Henry Engineers says utilities must do more with less today. According to Mason, managed cellular SCADA can provide a viable stopgap by offering better real-time, anywhere access to key data, information and maintenance records for field technicians and administrators. "It enables fewer people to manage and control an entire system - even at home if needed," says Mason. This is especially helpful to small and medium-sized utilities that sometimes lack the funding to implement expensive strategies. Mason says remote access provided by managed SCADA and monitoring benefits these utilities the most. 

Mission Communications offers a cost-effective managed SCADA system that helps utilities maintain and monitor remote sites and equipment with fewer resources. The intuitive web portal, real-time alarms and purpose-built reports simplify system management. Simplification is especially helpful at a time when many workers are retiring. Mission offers free ongoing training that keeps operators and managers abreast of industry trends and technical knowledge. Weekly webinars help new utility staff members learn about the system.

Bypassing the Experience Gap

Although apprenticeships are common in many trades, mentoring is needed in the water/wastewater industry to guarantee a qualified workforce. Many utilities are unable to offer this service. In a number of cases, mentoring has been addressed at the state level.

The Colorado Wastewater Utility Council (CWUC) was proactive in 2005 when it successfully created the Colorado Water and Wastewater Mentoring Program. The free program matches mentees with mentors by area of interest and need. New workers obtain technical and managerial training from experienced personnel on topics like wastewater problem-solving, regulatory compliance, watershed activities and standards-related issues. Mentees can post questions on the program website and obtain government certifications. Colorado utilities also collaborate in mutual problem solving.

The Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) in California runs a pilot training program that serves small rural utilities that cannot provide ongoing water operator education. The program is designed for younger adults pursuing a water/wastewater career. Students earn continuing education units and are prepared for the State of California Level 2 (D2) water operator certification test. Training lasts one to two years and is condensed into two or three week segments with hands-on activities. Students can interact with experienced operators in the field and receive job search and placement support.