Use It—Don't Lose It: How Data Can Improve Operations

Most treatment plant operators gather operating data in the usual way: make rounds, analyze samples, read pressure gauges and telemetry, and record the data on daily bench sheets. Some operators go on to summarize this information for plant and USEPA reports. And then, for most of us, it's promptly forgotten. A lot of time and effort was spent collecting these data. Why not use them to improve plant operations? With the right tools—like a personal computer and spreadsheet software—it is possible to use this information to spot important operating trends. The author demonstrates collecting and arranging data from the Lake County Bacon Road Water Treatment Plant and how it is used in analyzing operations.