Agenda Packets - 2005/06/27 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

requires the Utility Lead Worker to come in and reset the controls, or the pumps will not start again and the city would run out of water. Without the ability to monitor the system from home, the Utility Lead Worker would have to come in each day, including holidays, during the summer, and one day every weekend during the winter, to make sure everything is running properly, it can't be left to chance. This is an approximate savings of $6000 annually, without the ability to communicate at all. In addition to weekend duties, mid-week callouts can be reduced due to the ability to check water related alarms from home. If the on-call person receives water or sewer related page from the computer, they are directed to call the Utility Lead Worker first, to have him connect up with the computer and check the alarm out first. If he can fix the problem from home, or if the problem has already fixed itself, there is no call out paid. This can save 6-10 call outs per year, at a savings of $360.00 to $600.00. This monitoring system is also the only way we have to see how some of the wells are running, due to the hours of operation limitations of the Excel Energy electric program the City of Mounds View participates in. Example, well no 1, is only allowed to run from 10:00pm to 6:00am, 7 days a week, and the computer is the only way we have to monitor the pumping rate and sequence of events in start-up and shut-down to diagnose any potential problems. Well no 6, is only allowed to run from 9:00 pm to 9:00 am. If the City runs the wells any other time, than these permitted times, there is a penalty. Still experiencing some lock ups with the computer at the shop, it was determined that it was time to upgrade the SCADA system in 2005. Further, the computer at the shop is six years old and has been targeted for replacement. It is also not possible for the old SCADA software to be installed on the new computer, because the operating system on the new computer would not be compatible, with the old software. The current software at the shop is also several versions old and needs to be updated. Some of the new capabilities of the new software would be: 1. The ability to record real time below ground water levels. 2. The ability to compare below ground water levels with pumping rates 3. The ability to have a computer generated accurate pumping tantalization. 4. The ability to monitor the system remotely without computer failure. 5. The ability to make repairs without upgrading the entire system. The 2005 budget has $18,000.00 for this upgrade and a bid of $17,289.00 (+ tax) was received from U.S. Filter. US Filter installed both previous systems, and is a proprietary vendor of our current system, not just the computer and software, but also all the controls and panels at the various wells, plants, storage facilities, and lift stations.