Streamlining data to improve operations
Problem: The city of Kilgore, Texas, struggled with manual data management for their water treatment operations serving 14,000 residents. Like many utilities, they relied on filing cabinets of paper data sheets and Excel spreadsheets for analysis. A critical nitrification event revealed this approach’s inadequacy – when analyzed retrospectively, the problem had been developing undetected for three months, requiring costly remediation that could have been avoided with better monitoring.
Solution: Kilgore implemented WIMS Rio, a specialized software program for regulatory compliance and operational data management from Aquatic Informatics. The comprehensive system interfaces directly with the city’s SCADA databases, automatically collecting, processing and storing data. It transformed data workflows by automating calculations for flow, pressure, chemical usage, and chlorine residuals. The platform provides real-time monitoring with graphical displays accessible through both desktop and mobile applications, allowing operators to use smartphones or tablets for data entry. The system auto-fills 90% of monthly operating reports by pulling data directly from SCADA, eliminating hours of manual work. The city created custom templates that automatically populate dashboards, trend lines, and reporting formats. Operators can now compare SCADA data with manual entries to catch errors quickly.
Result: WIMS Rio transformed Kilgore’s operations by automating daily water production calculations and monthly operating reports, reducing completion time. The system enabled immediate detection of operational anomalies, such as a chemical line leak that showed unusual usage patterns. Operators now have instant access to historical data, trend analysis and predictive insights, allowing proactive maintenance planning and better decision-making. 877-870-2782; www.aquaticinformatics.com
Waterworks implements smart meters
Problem: Newport News (Virginia) Waterworks manual meter reading prevented monthly billing, forcing outsourcing to contractors that caused billing delays and operational inefficiencies. Additionally, metering service orders required costly truck rolls for readings and turning meters on or off, and aging meters were in need of replacement.
Solution: The utility implemented Mueller Systems’ Sentryx Water Intelligence Platform with smart meters featuring integrated remote disconnect valves for over 118,000 accounts. The comprehensive system includes 34 strategically positioned collectors and 97 repeaters providing 80% network redundancy across the 250-square-mile service area. Meters store 511 days of data with automatic backfill capabilities and can function as both AMI and drive-by AMR systems without reconfiguration. The solution addresses the city’s large transient military population through automated service provisioning, enabling water shut-offs in under 45 seconds remotely. They upgraded their customer portal to provide real-time hourly, daily and monthly usage data with customizable leak detection alerts. Customers can set out-of-town usage alerts and prearrange service disconnections for extended absences. The system’s granular monitoring detects toilet leaks and other small issues before they become costly problems, while rigorous testing protocols ensure 10% of residential meters and nearly 100% of larger meters meet AWWA standards before installation.
Result: The AMI implementation improved operational efficiency, enabling remote service disconnections in under 45 seconds without truck rolls. In 2023, the utility processed over 32,000 move-in/out orders and 40,000 nonpayment disconnections remotely. The system helped identify customer-side leaks, reducing unexpected high bills. The project maintained stable water rates throughout the four-year implementation while recouping costs through labor savings and operational efficiencies, successfully modernizing service delivery. 770-206-4200; www.muellerwaterproducts.com
