KC Water, responsible for managing a vast wastewater system in Kansas City, sought to modernize their aging infrastructure with a smarter control solution. Collaborating with R.E. Pedrotti Company, a longstanding partner in water utility projects, they embarked on a multi-year project to upgrade their wastewater control system.
With a service territory spanning 320 square miles and 66 facilities, KC Water faced challenges with antiquated control equipment and standalone supervisory control and data acquisition systems (SCADAs). Maintenance was difficult, and alarm notifications relied on outdated automatic dial systems, leading to delays in response time and troubleshooting.
To address these issues, KC Water and R.E. Pedrotti devised a plan to implement an integrated, distributed control system (DCS) using Rockwell Automation PlantPAx® technology. This modern DCS would provide real-time system knowledge and enhance operational reliability.
The project was executed in two phases over four to five years, with Phase One focusing on updating treatment plants and critical pump stations. R.E. Pedrotti led the hardware updates and cybersecurity enhancements, ensuring a defense-in-depth approach to protect against cyber threats.
With Phase One completed, KC Water experienced immediate improvements in system visibility and response time. Real-time monitoring enabled better understanding and control of operations, leading to increased operational reliability. Troubleshooting became more efficient, reducing the need for support from R.E. Pedrotti.
The successful collaboration between KC Water, R.E. Pedrotti, and Black & Veatch, along with the implementation of PlantPAx DCS, has significantly enhanced the efficiency and reliability of KC Water's wastewater control system, marking a substantial milestone in their modernization journey.
