Assessment of SCADA Technology Applications to Automate U.S. Army Water and Wastewater Sanitary Systems

Abstract

Abstract : The U.S. Army operates more than 100 small wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), of which 75 percent use trickling filters, 15 percent use an activated sludge process, and 10 percent use other treatment methods. Army WWTPs range in capacity from 0.003 to 8 million gallons per day (MGD), with an average capacity of about 1.0 MGD. The physical size and complexity of Army WWTPs generally parallel the systems' treatment and distribution capacities (i.e., larger capacity systems are bigger and more complex than relatively smaller capacity systems). As in many other areas, the Army is facing reductions in budget and personnel that support and operate its domestic and industrial water and wastewater systems. One way to maintain required levels of service despite such cuts is to increase efficiency by using automated systems at both drinking water and wastewater treatment plants. Many different automation technologies have already been successfully applied at municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment plants, and collection and distribution systems. The Army, however, has automated relatively few of its water and wastewater systems, even though the technology to do so is both economically practical and immediately available. Simple control automation that uses durable equipment offers the Army a promising alternative to labor-intensive operations, especially in light of the Army's shortage of skilled workers. The installation and use of simple, reliable automated controls can make plant operations more cost-effective by using the available workforce more effectively and by reducing the use of energy and chemicals. The Army can expect to gain substantial savings by appropriate automation at its more than 100 facilities. The first step in beginning to automate Army water and wastewater systems was to review and evaluate the systems, their needs, and available automation technologies. This report complements the findings of a 2-yr study focused on