Course: BFM 203 Water Treatment and Control

Lecture

(5/13)

Instrumentation and Controls

Operation of water treatment plants/processes is managed through the use of various instruments and controls. Communication devices transmit data from measuring locations in the treatment plant to a central data collection location (control room). Equipment indicates, monitors, measures, controls, records, and signals normal and abnormal conditions. This data is designed to ASSIST the operator. YOU are responsible for controlling the treatment process. Most utilities use SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition), which is a type of industrial control system. These systems can capture data from multiple locations at large distances. SCADA systems may be accessible from a centralized location or from one of many linked computer monitors throughout the plant. Instrumentation and automatic control of operating systems is NOT to be substituted for adequate knowledge and use of local indications and controls. Operators may be required to constantly supervise SCADA systems while filtration system operation is in progress.