Most large systems integration projects are a lot like bombing missions: you havean objective to achieve but you should expect to take a lot of hits/flack alongthe way. This paper is a case study of the Montgomery, Alabama, Water and SewerBoard's experience in constructing and commissioning its water and wastewatersupervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. By-and-large thisproject was very successful but project teams should realize that flack attacksare inevitable and are to be expected. Specific areas of emphasis in this paperinclude construction and startup, as well as technical and nontechnical issues.Construction issues include various and sundry radio problems encountered andsolved. Startup issues involve achieving smooth transition between normalautomatic and backup modes of the wastewater lift stations. Technical issuesinclude a summary of polling schemes and communication statistics. Nontechnicalissues include a discussion of the bid history and absorbing changes of players,including individuals and even a subcontractor. Includes figures.