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Enhance Small Water Systems: Through Automation
Author(s) -
Fron Gregory A.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
opflow
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1551-8701
pISSN - 0149-8029
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8701.2011.tb03110.x
Subject(s) - scada , automation , programmable logic controller , plan (archaeology) , control (management) , risk analysis (engineering) , supervisory control , engineering , computer science , systems engineering , reliability engineering , business , electrical engineering , operating system , mechanical engineering , archaeology , artificial intelligence , history
The need to enhance small system automation is inevitable whether the community's population is stable or growing. However, economics and regulation determine feasibility and requirements and such improvements must be evaluated by assessing an entire system and an ability to predict and plan for repairs or enhancements. The article discusses equipment and controls, automation technologies, two separate recommended enhancements that include a programmable logic controller (PLC) and data management and control. A comparison of the two options is provided. An inset to the article discusses common supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) benefits. Financial viability is discussed along with obtaining adequate funding.