Virtual control for water treatment

The ‘virtual control room’ concept for treatment plants and pipeline system operations has been introduced by Water Infrastructure Group. The implementation of the concept was fuelled by a technology convergence in 2011. Devices such as smartphones, iPads and fast 3G and broadband services converged with mature software for automation processes and asset management. This convergence coincided with the rapid rise of social media and a generation of operational recruits who are very comfortable with mobile technology and the virtual online world.

Water Infrastructure Group Operations Manager Bruce Anderson began developing the virtual control room concept. “The aim was to make operations for the infrastructure that we own more efficient. As a private operator of essential services, our key issues are guaranteeing business continuity and regulatory compliance. The virtual control room enables us to comply not only with increasingly stringent EPA and health requirements, but also with the commercial terms of our contracts with our clients.

“The virtual control room gives us the ability to closely monitor our plants 24/7 and respond immediately so that our plants operate at maximum efficiency,” explained Bruce.

Water Infrastructure Group’s innovation with the Virtual Control Room was recognised at the 2012 Institute of Public Works NSW Engineering Excellence Awards announced in May this year. The Innovation in Water Supply and Wastewater - Operations award was presented to Water Infrastructure Group, Eurobodalla Shire Council and the NSW Department of Public Works for the Eurobodalla Northern Water Treatment Plant in Batemans Bay.

Water Infrastructure Group partnered with Eurobodalla Shire Council and NSW Department of Public Works to deliver a high-tech water treatment plant on the NSW South Coast. Water Infrastructure Group’s early involvement in the project led to several significant changes to the design of the plant to increase efficiency and operability - a key innovation being the Virtual Control Room.

Eurobodalla Shire Council General Manager Paul Anderson said the Virtual Control Room was ideally suited to a regional facility and provided a number of benefits to council and the community, and these were recognised by the IPWEA Award.

“Our operators are able to safely and productively monitor and control the plant remotely via smartphones or iPads. Its efficiency also provides flexibility to council and its remote management saves us both time and money,” said Paul.

The operators can complete work orders on the spot, rather than taking handwritten notes to key in later on the desktop. When it comes to maintenance and repairs, the service history and maintenance schedules for all the equipment are available on the spot, right when and where the operator needs them. The overall status of each of the operations sites can be managed from a central convenient location, and with real-time monitoring, issues can be identified early.

Water Infrastructure Group also received the AWA National Safety Excellence Award for the Bondi Ocean Outfall Sewer Rehabilitation Project at OzWater in May.

Peter Everist, Water Infrastructure Group General Manager, said that it was very pleasing to receive recognition for innovation and safety. “Innovation and safety are two key areas that we have focused on in our business to deliver real benefits to our staff, clients and the community. This focus is now paying dividends and it’s great to see the efforts of our people and our leadership in these areas recognised by the industry,” Peter said.