Ridgecrest, California
Challenge: The Indian Wells Valley Water District (IWVWD), based in Ridgecrest, California, faced significant challenges in managing, monitoring, and distributing water resources efficiently. The region faced further obstacles due to its extreme climate and seismic activity, along with its aging infrastructure. IWVWD was seeking the best solution to address these concerns, while continuing to support the safety needs and growth of the community it serves.
Approach: IWVWD’s operations management took a proactive approach to water resources management by consulting with ATSI to implement the best SCADA options for their system. Recognizing their need for a sustainable solution, our team engaged in a thorough assessment of the district’s technology infrastructure, water supply infrastructure, and operational demand patterns. We helped them develop a strategic plan that focused on modernizing their water systems and implementing advanced technologies to maintain efficient water conservation practices.
Solution:
- Infrastructure Modernization: ATSI upgraded IWVWD’s aging infrastructure, leveraging state-of-the-art technologies to enhance the efficiency of water distribution and reduce wastage. We did this by implementing a PlantPAx architecture, which utilized a Stratus redundant server solution. Also included was an enhancement of the communications and alarm notifications.
- Hardware Platform: ATSI assisted the district in implementing a new control strategy with PlantPAx Process Object Library 4.0. This allowed for the automated control of the remote valves and pumps to efficiently move water into multiple pressure zones. It had the added benefits of reducing power consumption and maintaining fire protection requirements. We utilized CompactLogix hardware for the distribution system and ControlLogix hardware for the treatment plants.
Key Results:
- Improved Water Sustainability: The implementation of modern infrastructure and smart water management systems resulted in a significant improvement in water sustainability for IWVWD. It also allowed the district to better allocate resources and adapt to changing environmental conditions.
- Enhanced Efficiency: The upgraded infrastructure and technology-driven solutions led to a substantial increase in the overall efficiency of water distribution. Reduced leaks, optimized pump operations, and improved monitoring allowed IWVWD to deliver water more effectively to their community.
Conclusion: Indian Wells Valley Water District’s proactive approach to water management, coupled with the technological innovation provided by ATSI, has positioned them as a model for sustainable water resource utilization. With these modern solutions, IWVWD has secured a more resilient and efficient water supply for the Ridgecrest community, ensuring a brighter and more sustainable future.