SCADA

Computer Remote Control System Saves Money
and Improves Quality

COMB entered the 21st Century June 25, 2003 with the inception of the COMB Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. SCADA is a computer system that monitors and controls remote facilities from a central location. The SCADA system has allowed staff to monitor and control pipelines, storage reservoirs and pump stations along the 32 miles of COMB facilities extending from the main office. Staff is no longer required to travel by vehicle to each facility, spending hours per day to determine the current system conditions. Now all monitoring and control is done from one central location. SCADA also monitors system parameters and notifies staff when the system variables are outside those set parameters.

The information collected includes water levels at the four regulating reservoirs, including Lake Cachuma, the water flow and pressure at each section of the South Coast Conduit (SCC), valve position, and also the temperature, turbidity and PH of the water at two locations along the SCC. The SCADA operated valves along the SCC controls the flow of water through the miles of pipelines and the levels at each of the reservoirs. The SCADA system records this daily data, allowing for quick and easy searches of any historical information. The COMB SCADA system is able to communicate with the Member Unit SCADA systems, sharing information, improving the overall communication, and resulting in more informed operational decisions.

Overall, the COMB SCADA system has greatly improved the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the organization and is the most significant operational change that has ever occurred at Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board.