Better Pump Station Management: It All Starts With Data

By Pablo Calabuig, VP Americas at Idrica / GoAigua

Pump stations are a critical piece of wastewater infrastructure, managing large volumes of water day and night in order to move wastewater throughout the collection and treatment network. Proper pump station management is key to protecting other wastewater infrastructure and can even influence the quality of treatment outcomes. But getting the most out of a pump station requires better visibility and control over the pumps themselves. This means modernizing pump stations, and that starts with data.

Wastewater utilities often generate a lot of data but rarely make the most of it. Studies have shown that many operations use only 10% of the data generated. To modernize pump stations, plant managers and operators need to know what kind of data they are generating –– from the pump station and elsewhere throughout the network –– and maximize their ability to process, analyze, and take action on that data. This is the first step on a digital journey to more efficient and holistic pump station management.

Where Is The Data?

A pump station generates a tremendous amount of data that can be used to improve decision-making. Most pump stations are connected to a wastewater utility’s SCADA system, which collects and stores data such as pump status, flow rates, pressure levels, and water levels in the wet well. Additionally, SCADA systems gather pump performance metrics such as flow efficiency and energy consumption, as well as motor data like current, voltage, and temperature. Alarm statuses for high/low water levels, abnormal pressure readings, and pump or motor failures are also monitored, along with information on valve status, flow meter readings, environmental data such as temperature and humidity, and more.

Elsewhere in the utility resides geographic information system (GIS) data, network flow and pressure data, and much more. Unfortunately, few if any of these systems communicate with each other, which limits their potential value. Thus, the first step to optimizing pump station operations is to centralize and standardize all data points. For example, visualizing pump performance metrics and alarm statuses on a GIS map aids in quickly identifying problem areas and deploying resources. Similarly, by connecting other network instrumentation data to pump station data, utilities can better detect anomalies such as pressure drops or unexpected flow changes, which can indicate leaks, blockages, or pump malfunctions. When integrated with energy management systems, pump station data can help identify inefficiencies and optimize energy use.

Addressing Pain Points

In private companies, the modernization of systems or processes is usually tied to the need to improve earnings or enhance a competitive edge. For wastewater utilities, the triggers are different. Many are struggling with an aging workforce and difficulty recruiting younger talent. There is also pressure from increasing regulatory requirements, as well as the increasing age of infrastructure.

By better leveraging pump station and overall utility data, operators can address these pain points. With many experienced workers retiring, capturing and leveraging data becomes crucial. As older workers retire, integrated systems can store historical data and operational knowledge. This reduces the learning curve for new hires and preserves institutional knowledge. At the same time, by modernizing data management and showcasing the use of cutting-edge technologies, utilities can make themselves more attractive to younger workers who are proficient in using digital tools.

Lastly, increased application of data improves the ability to monitor the condition and performance of pump stations, which allows operators to prioritize maintenance and capital investments more effectively. Predictive analytics can identify which components are most likely to fail, allowing for proactive maintenance and reducing the risk of unexpected breakdowns.

How To Get Started

While data is an entry point to more efficient pump station management, there is no minimum amount of data needed to get started. Instead, the key is to build an organizational culture focused on collaboration, innovation, and communication. From there, utilities should then employ a cloud-based centralized data management system. This enables all data sources to reside in the same place, facilitating the ability to draw correlations, causations, actionable analyses, and even predictions. As a bonus, such a solution does not require special accommodation from internal or outsourced IT personnel and resources.

By integrating and leveraging the vast amounts of data generated, wastewater utilities can transform pump station management into a more efficient, proactive, and predictive operation. This digital journey not only addresses critical operational challenges but also lays the foundation for a more resilient and innovative future in wastewater management.

This article is Part 1 of a four-part series on improving pump station management in wastewater systems.