Even the smallest municipalities are benefiting from advanced automated water monitoring and analytics systems and a boost from AI is right around the corner.
SMALL TOWN, BIG TASK
With a population of approximately 352, the town of Abbott, Texas, is small, even when one considers that the average local jurisdiction population in the United States is only about 6,200. Regardless of its size, one thing that Abbott has in common with all other municipalities across the nation is the reality of maintaining its infrastructure on a finite budget.
When city officials were examining options for reducing costs by automatically monitoring the town’s drinking water system, it quickly became clear that a full-blown supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system was not in the budget. However, Cattron, a company specializing in control and automation systems, had an alternative solution that could offer much of the functionality of a full SCADA system at a fraction of the cost.
REMOTE CONTROL
The company suggested the Abbott team explore Cattron’s RemoteIQ Water, a purpose-designed system. RemoteIQ Water is an advanced cloud platform designed for the monitoring and control of applications like lift stations and water treatment plants. It delivers unmatched convenience and reliability without the high costs and complexities associated with implementing a full-scale SCADA system.
With RemoteIQ Water, operators can remotely monitor performance, receive alarms, and manage remote assets such as tank levels, line pressure, flow rates, and water quality from any location, using mobile devices, tablets, or laptops. The platform also offers comprehensive visibility into communication status, critical site events, and provides dashboards and reporting for an in-depth overview of operations.
RemoteIQ Water enables users to configure and send notifications via text, voice, and email, ensuring timely responses to any issues. Additionally, users can access both current and historical data and custom, automated operational reports to analyze trends and gain insights for improved decision-making.
Not only is RemoteIQ a fraction of the cost of a full SCADA system, but customers can pair it with Cattron’s Aquavx remote monitoring hardware and then pay a monthly subscription fee, so there is no large, upfront expense for onsite servers, radio networks, or licensed software.
SCADA SCALED
Aquavx is a state-of-the-art wireless SCADA water system that performs remote monitoring, control, and alarm notification. Able to be tailored for medium-sized pump and lift stations, gas compressor stations, substations, and water and wastewater treatment plants, the solution offers unique flexibility and efficiency.
Aquavx provides an array of fixed I/O provides comprehensive monitoring capabilities for virtually any type of sensor or system. Additionally, with fifty-eight Modbus RTU channels, the system seamlessly integrates with existing PLCs or Modbus sensors, enabling smooth data exchange and control.
“We were looking for a cost effective and reliable way to remotely monitor our water supply system,” explains Tony Pustejovsky, mayor of Abbott Texas. “Our systems integrator recommended the Aquavx product.”
GAINING AN ADVANTAGE
Since the implementation of Cattron’s RemoteIQ Water platform and Aquavx remote monitoring device, the town of Abbott has experienced significant improvements in the efficiency and management of its drinking water system. The six pumps, located at two water wells, are now monitored continuously, ensuring optimal performance and load sharing.
The RemoteIQ Water platform allows city officials to track pump cycles and run times, setting up alarms and alerts if any out-of-balance operation occurs. This proactive approach enables the town to address potential issues before they escalate, extending the life of the pumps and minimizing the risk of system failures.
With 24/7 monitoring and alert notifications, Abbott’s water management folks can respond swiftly to any issues that arise. The ability to remotely control and override the automatic control of the pumps from a smart phone or tablet has been a game-changer, allowing the team to take immediate action when needed, without having to be on-site. This has greatly contributed to the overall efficiency of the system, preventing overflows and ensuring the water system remains uncontaminated.
The continuous statistics provided by the RemoteIQ Water platform on pump duty cycles and runtimes have also enabled the town to perform predictive analytics and schedule maintenance activities proactively. By monitoring the pump run times, the team can identify when a pump is due for servicing, reducing unexpected downtime and costly repairs. Additionally, the system alerts the team when duty cycles become unbalanced by a certain percentage, indicating the need for preventative maintenance.
“The ability to monitor, control, and maintain our system remotely from anywhere was a very attractive feature,” says Mayor Pustejovsky. “I’m optimistic that the city will benefit from additional efficiencies and increased uptime of all of the systems that supply water to our great community.”
SECURE IN THE KNOWLEDGE
With the increasing connectivity of SCADA systems in municipal and industrial markets, security measures are crucial to prevent unauthorized access and protect against cyberattacks. Cattron’s RemoteIQ applications, incorporate robust data hardware security protocols, ensuring that connected systems remain secure and compliant with industry cybersecurity standards.
Cattron’s SCADA solutions employ data security technologies such as Transport Layer Security (TLS) to ensure data is highly encrypted between the device and cloud. Once the data is in the cloud, it is securely stored according to ISO 27001 standards, protecting it against unauthorized access. Service Organization Control 2 (SOC-2) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) ensures secure access to the RemoteiQ portal. These and other measures ensure consistent service availability, maintain data integrity, and protecting confidential information, all while complying with privacy regulations. These comprehensive security protocols ensure that Cattron’s systems provide reliable and secure solutions for managing critical infrastructure.
SMARTER WATER MANAGEMENT
The promise of AI in municipal water management is becoming more tangible as Cattron advances its technology. Historically, IoT platforms and remote monitoring systems have excelled at collecting vast amounts of data from field sensors and machines. However, the challenge has been transforming this raw data into actionable insights.
Cattron’s AI and machine learning initiative will be bridging this gap by leveraging the collected data for advanced analytics, turning it into a valuable resource for municipalities. Central to these advancements is the concept of predictive analytics.
Cattron has begun implementing sophisticated AI models that analyze trends and predict potential issues, like subtle pump cavitation vibrations, signaling possible problems before they turn into pump failures. This approach will not only enhance operational efficiency but will also allow access to advanced analytics for small and medium-sized municipalities, which traditionally could not afford such technology.
Moreover, the aggregation of data across various systems will provide significant benefits beyond individual municipalities. By collecting continuous machine data, Cattron will offer valuable insights to equipment manufacturers for improving their products and warranty terms.
This aggregated data can also guide municipalities by showcasing best practices from other similar-sized towns, enabling them to implement strategies that have been proven successful elsewhere. The future of AI in municipal water management promises not just efficiency but a collaborative improvement for large and small municipalities alike.
Cattron is revolutionizing the way industries control and monitor their operations. As a global leader in radio remote control, engine and generator control panels, and cloud-based monitoring and control solutions, Cattron offers a diverse range of products and services that deliver unparalleled efficiency, productivity, and safety benefits. For more information, visit www.cattron.com.