Enhancing Operator Situational Awareness Through Real-Time Visual Dashboards

Wastewater treatment plants are complex, fast-moving systems. Flows fluctuate throughout the day. Loads vary with the weather and industrial activity—equipment cycles on and off. Biological systems respond gradually, then suddenly. Operators are expected to maintain stability, safety, and compliance while managing alarms, sampling schedules, maintenance tasks, and documentation.

In that environment, situational awareness is essential. It involves understanding what is happening now, what is changing, and what needs to be prioritized. The problem is that many plants still develop awareness manually by switching between SCADA screens, trend charts, lab spreadsheets, maintenance records, and shift notes. This process takes time and mental effort, especially during busy shifts when attention is already limited.

Real-time visual dashboards are some of the most effective tools for enhancing situational awareness. When properly designed, they make it easier to find information, emphasize what is most important, and enable operators to respond more quickly and confidently.