United Water of Idaho (UWID), like most utilities, invested millions of dollars in automation systems and related information technology over the last 20 years. For every dollar invested in technology during this time, UWID expected some level of payback.
With the rapid evolution of these technologies, system upgrades, or even replacements, became an important part of keeping the utility not only technically sound, but, perhaps more importantly, competitive and customer service-oriented. Given these rapidly changing operating conditions, UWID re-evaluated some of its technology investments, particularly the SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) system, to determine where improvements in performance, reliability, customer service, and cost effectiveness could be achieved. UWID identified the communications system supporting the utility?s SCADA system as a key area for improvement.
UWID originally installed SCADA in 1984 to reduce the dependency on manual operations and to manage more complex needs. Leased telephone lines provided the communications capabilities between the various remote locations and master stations. At that time, leased lines prevailed as the communications media for utility SCADA systems because of the low initial cost, comparable reliability and capability compared with other communications choices.
However, over the next decade, communication costs and technology changed significantly. For instance, satellite communications, in use today by a growing number of utilities, was not even an option in the mid-1980s. These changes, coupled with the inherent issue of dependence upon local telephone company service, pushed the UWID staff along the road to a communications upgrade.
In 1992, the utility updated the SCADA system by replacing the original system, built on proprietary hardware and software with a more open system. This change improved operational management and control of the water production and distribution systems. As an example, the in-plant control system data in the water treatment plant now integrate with the distribution-oriented SCADA data. The integration affords better systemwide management from a single, central location.
After analyzing communications options, UWID decided that radio best suited the utility?s needs. Several factors ? cost, reliability, responsiveness and ease of installation, operation and maintenance ? drove this decision. After the initial purchase of radios, low costs make this option more attractive than paying escalating monthly fees for leasing telephone lines over a multi-year period. Because of the reliability of radios, UWID keeps only a small inventory of radios on hand for emergency repairs, but rarely uses them. UWID?s experience with the installation and continuous operation of the radio system has been nearly trouble- and error-free.
With the communications media analysis complete, UWID looked at the available radio technology. After a formal bid process, UWID selected Alligator Communications (Santa Clara, CA) in January 1996. The SCADA radio communication system included the procurement and installation of 90 radios across UWID?s service territory.
The installation process required little RTU reconfiguration. The internal modems on the Alligator radios proved helpful. After a minimum of training, the control system technicians became proficient in the installation and maintenance of the radio system.
UWID also selected Alligator because of features such as automatic frequency calibration. This eliminated the need for the calibration of each radio at each remote site, saving staff time and cost.
The Alligator system was completely operational by May 1998. This was important since UWID?s service territory hits peak use in the summer. The utility?s management wanted to have the system operational by this peak demand period. Initially a concern, potential problems with tree foliage and new building construction have proven to be very minimal once the system was up and running. Only a handful of sites required higher antenna masts.
While the installation process went very smoothly, the staff at UWID did have to do some careful planning to meet the specific needs of their service territory. For instance, the utility covers six major pressure zones due to the elevation changes in its territory. Because of these terrain changes, three repeater sites have been installed on high ground, improving the reach and reliability of the system. A redundant master station is also being established in the event of a natural disaster.
One problem that UWID experienced in this overhaul of their SCADA communication system, which is reaching epidemic proportions across the utility industry, was in receiving the necessary FCC licensing for their radio system. The process of receiving licenses is very time consuming and did, in fact, delay this project for several months at one point. As the FCC continues to grapple with crowded bandwidth and competitive considerations in licensing frequencies, this will continue to be a thorn in many a utility manager?s side.
Another significant problem associated with the radio installation was a decrease in polling speed resulting from integrating the radio system with the older SCADA system. This problem is being address with a SCADA system upgrade to allow increased baud rates and the use of the Alligator digital radios.
With the SCADA radio system up and running for over one full year now, UWID has clearly achieved its goals of reducing communications system cost, reducing the operations and maintenance costs associated with running the SCADA system, and simultaneously improving system reliability. UWID looks at this as another example of how technology can be harnessed to make utilities more operationally efficient, more responsive to customers and, ultimately, more competitive.
United Water of Idaho
- Location: Boise, ID
- Services Provided: Water production and distribution
- Population Served: 190,000
- System Capacity: 92 mgd
- Connections: 64,000
- Facilities: 89 Wells
- 27 Reservoirs
- 38 Booster Stations
- 1 Water Treatment Plant
- 812.8 miles of water main
About the Authors
Ronald Cameron is United Water of Idaho?s Supervisor of Automated Systems. Robert Barrett is United Water Idaho?s Computer Analyst. Mike Smith is principal consultant at KLN Group, a consulting firm that provides business and marketing solutions to clients in the utility and local government automation and information technology markets.
