Smart tech system to operate disposal, pumping stations in Lahore

LAHORE: Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) is going to implement Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System which will enable remote monitoring and management of all its disposal and pumping stations from a state of the art Command and Control Centre (C&C) that would help in efficient resource utilisation.

The News has leant that this system of management is going to be implemented as a part of the recent MoU signed between Wasa and Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB). The arrangement between the two institutions includes many IT interventions intended for a futuristic transformation of Wasa.

Currently, all disposal stations and pumping stations being operated under Wasa are being run manually. While this manual system requires additional human resource as ‘Operators’ it also entrusts a high level of dependency of the individual to be available on spot which requires extensive micromanagement to ensure. Considering the power outages, generators installed at these pumps are also maintained and operated manually.

There is no live monitoring of these pumps or the generators vis-à-vis variables such as volume pumped, fuel consumption, water levels and others. Furthermore the motors associated with turning on/off disposal stations are done manually. (SCADA) is a control system architecture that uses computers, hi-tech sensors that receive and transmit actions from the software applications being operated at the Command and Control Center for high-level supervisory management.

The SCADA concept was developed as a universal means of remote access to a variety of local control modules, which could be from different manufacturers allowing access through standard automation protocols. In practice, large SCADA systems have grown to become very similar to distributed control systems in function, but using multiple means of interfacing with the plant. They can control large-scale processes that can include multiple sites, and work over large distances as well as small distance.

These functions are performed by four kinds of SCADA components. The Sensors (either digital or analog) and control relays that directly connect with the C&C. The second component is the Remote telemetry units (RTUs) small computerised units deployed in the field at specific sites and locations (pumps). RTUs (Remote Telemetry Units) serve as local collection points for gathering reports from sensors and delivering commands to control relays. The third component is the SCADA master units. These are larger computer consoles that serve as the central processor for the SCADA system. Master units provide a human interface to the system and automatically regulate the managed system in response to sensor inputs. The fourth and final component is the communications network that connects the SCADA master unit to the RTUs in the field.

When contacted, MD, Wasa, Zahid Aziz said this new system will be able to monitor water level in wet wells. Based on the water level in the wet well, different number of water pumps can automatically be turned on and off.

He explained that this smart tech would not only make the operations energy efficient but would also help monitor and manage water table and pumping operation in view of the wet-well information and the consequent adjustments.

In case of no electricity, each and every disposal station is equipped with heavy duty generator, which is fully capable of taking the load of entire disposal station. The new system will be able to automatically turn on/off the generators, also monitoring of fuel cage along with other important data will be available, he said.

Academician and Research Fellow Masters in International Public Policy Johns Hopkins University Raheem ul Haque said IT interventions in governance processes is always a welcome step as long as they are well thought out and target key areas instead of excessive needless obsession with tech overloading a system. He said municipal facilities are at the heart of public service and governance and this novel approach would benefit Wasa. He, however, was of the view that the work ethic culture of government departments also needs to evolve with these interventions as tech can only do so much.

Chairman, PITB, Dr Umar Saif while taking about this initiative said Lahore Wasa strives hard to pace up with technological advancements which is the key to provide reliable services to citizens around the clock 365 days a year. This paradigm shift presented the need to collaborate with reliable technology partner. Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) has been working closely with Wasa since 2012, early engagements started off with establishment of multi-channel contact center and we have come a long way since then, these fresh range of initiatives will go a long way in equipping Wasa with state of the art systems for an efficient management and service delivery, he added.