This paper offers a look at how the Clackamas Water District (Oregon) installed a simple SCADA system on a very limited budget. The Clackamas water system is described, and three needs given for a SCADA system: parts and service on the existing pneumatic control system were becoming scarce; possible future regionalization meant that circular charts would proliferate out of control; and the district needed to prepare for future construction of a highly automated treatment plant. Because of local contractors' lack of experience with filter controls, a programmable logic controller was chosen; filter suppliers would be required to supply control consoles and control the filters with a PLC large enough to also control the plant and distribution system. This would simplify maintenance and programming the SCADA interface. A simple software was chosen. The district staff took responsibility for the graphical interface and data logging; this avoided problems with overly sophisticated programs designed by consultants. System features and costs are briefly described.