SCADA and RTU technologies for regional wastewater utility

Emerson Process Management is replacing an outdated SCADA system and remote terminal units (RTUs) used throughout Hampton Roads Sanitation District’s (HRSD) vast wastewater collection system.

Emerson’s Ovation control and SCADA systems with ControlWave RTU technologies will help HRSD effectively manage its current remote assets and accommodate future expansion as the service area continues to grow. Currently, HRSD serves about 1.7 million people over an area of more than 7250 km² in 17 south-east Virginia cities and counties.

“The Interceptor SCADA System Upgrade project is an important part of our ongoing effort to protect public health and area waterways,” said Rick Raike, HRSD’s chief of electrical and energy management. “Emerson has been the successful bidder for a number of HRSD’s technology needs over the years, and we have found that they consistently provide the technology, technical expertise and project management necessary to support our efforts.”

As part of the Interceptor project, Ovation control systems will be installed at HRSD’s three operations centres. In addition, an Ovation SCADA system with approximately 175 ControlWave RTUs will deliver comprehensive, real-time data — including flows, levels and pressures — to the operations centres from approximately 800 km of piping and 115 remote pump/lift stations in the HRSD collection system. This information will be used to determine the most efficient distribution of wastewater to HRSD’s nine major and four smaller wastewater treatment plants. The majority of the treatment plants, which have a combined capacity of 940 million litres per day, already utilise the Ovation platform for in-plant controls.

“[HRSD] should be commended for a proactive approach that leverages proven automation and control technologies as components of their overall strategy for providing safe, reliable service to area customers,” said Rob McBride, Interceptor project manager for Emerson Process Management’s Power & Water Solutions.

To help HRSD protect against current and future cybersecurity threats, Emerson will also install its Ovation Security Center at each operations centre. This integrated security solution will allow HRSD to streamline management of critical cybersecurity protection functions, including software patch deployment, malware prevention, network intrusion detection, antivirus protection, and security incident and event management.

Using a single, integrated automation platform across its expansive wastewater collection system will also enable HRSD to recognise cost advantages that include a reduced spare-parts inventory and more efficient training of trades.

The Interceptor SCADA System Upgrade project will be implemented in four phases. During the RTU installations, Emerson will help coordinate organised cutovers to the new technology at each remote site. The final phase of the project is expected to be completed by March 2018.