Utility Horizons - Second Quarter 2013 - (Page 18)

FOCAL POINT... opportunity to respond before a reportable incident occurs. These targets also provide the basis for evaluating how the process is operating. The items tracked for the water plants include: ◆ Filter effluent turbidity ◆ Reservoir influent turbidity ◆ Reservoir effluent chlorine ◆ ph and fluoride transmittance The five criteria tracked at wastewater plants related to this measure are: ◆ Biochemical Oxygen Demand ◆ Total Suspended Solids, ◆ E coli, ◆ Ammonia, and ◆ Total Phosphorus. These are daily readings based on actual samples. Any readings exceeding internal guidelines are counted along with any unplanned bypasses. As Figure 2 shows, this is reported on the KPI dashboard along with another KPI related to percentage of operator rounds completed. This Figure 2 – Operational KPI Dashboard dashboard measures the number of field checks completed by operators. For many years this data was tracked using paper forms and basic computer spreadsheets. However, a new software program has been commissioned to track operator rounds and tasks on the control system. As shown in the top section of Figure 3, the major 18 • UTILITY HORIZONS • Q2 - 2013 categories of required tasks to be completed are listed. When one is selected (for example, Day Shift Tasks) the task steps are listed in the bottom-left section of the screen with the right section providing an overview of the required steps to be completed. When these tasks are completed, the operator can check the item as finished and add any observations they have into the comment box. This information is then written into the electronic operator log, which is used by the operations team to record activities and ensures each shift is aware of important changes or issues that have occurred during the previous shifts. In addition to supporting operational KPIs, the controls group has a number of KPIs specific to the operation of the control systems. These include: ◆ Overall system availability ◆ Plant operational incidents due to control system problems ◆ Percentage of preventative maintenance tasks completed ◆ Support task backlog ◆ Measures related to tracking support task completion. Smarter Maintenance For many years, preventative maintenance programs have been driven by the calendar or other basic measures. Yearly checks and maintenance were done on certain pieces of equipment often without consideration to the duty cycle or load on that piece of equipment. This can result in reduced life cycles from too little or too much maintenance being performed. Some may be surprised to find that too much www.UtilityHorizons.com  http://www.UtilityHorizons.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Utility Horizons - Second Quarter 2013

Utility Horizons - Second Quarter 2013
Publisher’s Message
Contents
The Queue
Automation Rising!
Inside Tracks
Focal Point
Automation and Innovation at Epcor Water Services
BLeading Edge: Advanced Technology Perspectives
Consumer Engagement: The Future Goes Mobile
Demand Response: Why the Future Is in the Cloud
Building Paths to Smarter Water Management
Bullet-Proofing Your Scada System Against the Evil-Doers
Education Matters
Standard Bearings
Regulation De Rigueur
On the Horizon
Purviews
Intersections
Eventualities
Thinking It Through With Sparky Flamedrop
Loose Ends

Utility Horizons - Second Quarter 2013

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