Engineering Inc. - Spring 2020 - 38

PUMP STATION
MONITORING SYSTEM

T. BAKER SMITH

as custom machine learning algorithms
to precisely collect, transmit, and manage
the pump station data.
"Basically, our team came up with a
hardware package that allows us to run
custom written code for different sensors
to observe and collect water levels and
engine vibrations. These observations are
communicated securely back to a server,
where clients can access the data for
analysis," Rivera says.
The real-time data from the sensors is
integrated into a geographic information
system, previously created for NLLD
by TBS, that monitors and analyzes
data in relation to current LIDAR
information for each pump station. If
the system detects a problem anywhere
across the network, proactive alerts are
automatically transmitted to the appropriate personnel. Additionally, historical
data is stored and displayed in custom
dashboards for future project planning,
T. Baker Smith's innovative
according to Rivera.
technology revolutionizes
Beyond automating the monitorhow forced drainage and
watersheds are managed
ing system, the project delivered other
for municipalities using
benefits. For example, by optimizing
real-time data.
the operation of each pump, the risks of
land erosion and subsidence are greatly
PROJECT: PUMP STATION MONITORING SYSTEM LAFOURCHE PARISH, LOUISIANA
reduced, thereby keeping NLLD's levee
FIRM: T. BAKER SMITH HOUMA, LOUISIANA
maintenance costs in check.
In effect, the system helps the entire
afourche Parish, just south of New
collection and retrieval problems.
community, which in coastal Louisiana
Orleans, encompasses a maze of
"Working from scratch, we began by
includes a variety of endemic challenges.
intercoastal waterways and infrabuilding several models of a physical
Because much of the impacted land is in
structure in order to help provide
box containing the system that could be
low-lying areas, the combination of land
flood protection. The parish includes the
mounted in the pump stations," says Tony
subsidence, rising sea levels, and growing
North Lafourche Levee District (NLLD),
Rivera, chief innovation
uncertainty of tropical
which maintains more than 250 miles of
officer at TBS.
storm events creates an
levees and 40 pump stations that include
An initial challenge was
ever-increasing flood risk. In
a network of 38 forced drainage systems.
designing and constructturn, flooding impacts the
Managing the pump stations depends on ing a system that could
levee and drainage systems,
parish workers and key district personnel
withstand the area's harsh
so improving their costwho inspect and operate them on-site.
heat, humidity, and rain
effectiveness helps avoid
However, too often the workers did not
conditions. Ultimately, the
public funding challenges.
have access to accurate, real-time water
TBS team designed a self"We went from a
level data and engine-run status, resulting
contained, weatherproof,
manual process to an
in a series of issues. Especially troubleand internet-connected
elegant, proactive system
some was over-pumping, which can burn
box that is self-powered
that gives NLLD the
out pump engines and compromise the
using a small solar panel
ability to react quicker to
TONY RIVERA
integrity of the levees due to land erosion
and storage battery.
a single event or multiple
Chief Innovation Officer
and subsidence in the drainage areas.
The system boasts a
problems, as well as
T. Baker Smith
Last year, NLLD contracted T. Baker
unique combination of
provide real-time data for
Smith (TBS) to modernize the pump
technology, including
future engineering design
stations by designing, building, and
cloud computing, to provide user-friendly purposes," Rivera says. "We were priviinstalling an automated, electronic
access to critical data. The designers lever- leged to work with the right client with
monitoring system that would solve data
aged internet of things technology, as well the right vision."
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ENGINEERING INC. SPRING 2020

Engineering Inc. - Spring 2020

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