AWWA CSC92014

Managing the information generated by a process control system effectively requires input from the right people, the right equipment and the proper planning. Input from the right people consists of knowing all of the potential team members and the valuable input they bring to the project. Getting the right equipment involves understanding the tasks to be accomplished and selecting the best available technology to meet the needs. In order to do the proper planning there must be a clear understanding of the handling and the use of the information. Process control is collecting information about a process, using that information to determine the changes necessary to produce a desired result and making those changes to the process. A Local Area Network (LAN) is a group of microcomputers linked together sharing common sources of information. This paper takes you through the procedures the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission took to plan for the technology shift, develop a Process Control Master Plan, specific aspects of the process control development and implementation, hardware selection, system personnel selection, and cost savings recognized by process control and computer technology.