Projects
 SCADA System
24/7 Systems Monitoring with New SCADA System
Protecting the quality of the water delivered to our customers is always the number one priority of the Roslyn Water District. We make tests and check the water supply at the wells and at all pumping stations on a regular basis to insure this delivery of quality water. These tests and checks are done by qualified personnel on a proscribed schedule.
Technology now offers an added safeguard that provides updates on water quality at critical locations on a 24/7 basis. It is called a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA). The Roslyn Water District is in the process of installing this system.
The SCADA system monitors and controls the pumping of water from each of the district’s wells, operating stations, storage tanks and elevated towers.
In addition, SCADA controls, and reports to, the District Headquarters such items as the pH and chlorine levels, gallons pumped per minute, temperatures and local water pressures.
If a level or other data point exceeds the quality control guidelines, a qualified water technician is notified for remedial action.
More on SCADA
The SCADA system includes signal hardware (input and output), controllers, networks, user interface (HMI), communications equipment and software. All together, the term SCADA refers to the entire central system that monitors data from various Water District locations throughout the area.
The heart of a SCADA system is the Remote Terminal Unit (RTU). The Remote Terminal Units consists of a programmable logic converter set to specific requirements, while allowing human intervention. In addition, any changes or errors are automatically logged for and/or displayed. Most often, the SCADA system will monitor and make slight changes to function optimally; SCADA systems are considered closed loop systems and run with relatively little human intervention.
One of key processes of SCADA is the ability to monitor an entire system in real time. This is facilitated by data acquisitions including meter reading, checking statuses of sensors, etc., that are communicated at regular intervals. Besides the data being used by the RTU, it is also displayed to a human who is able to interface with the system to override settings or make changes when necessary.
SCADA is a system with many data elements called points. Each point is a monitor or sensor. Usually points can be either hard or soft. A hard data point can be an actual monitor; a soft point can be seen as an application or software calculation. Data elements from hard and soft points are recorded and logged to create a time stamp or history.
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Automatic Radio Read Program Moves to Residential Phase
The District is pleased to announce that the commercial phase of the new AMR system is substantially complete. This system allows remote meter reading, eliminating the necessity of entering commercial or residential premises for the periodic meter reading. Once installed, the system eliminates the need for access to your property.
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Current Projects
Glen Cove Road
A new, larger water main replaced a 50-year old system along Glen Cove Road. The RWD developed a cooperative effort with Nassau County allowing this replacement to take place before Glen Cove Road was repaved.
Tara Drive Facility
Upgrade and a new standby generator was installed to insure continued service in case of an electrical failure.
Plant #8 at Mineola Avenue
Electrical systems upgrades are scheduled for 2009.
District Headquarters
A new roof was installed this summer. As the water district buildings have historical significance the work was done with input and cooperation of the Roslyn Historic District Board.
Northern Boulevard Bridge
The progress of rebuilding the bridge has become more evident recently, and we look forward to its completion. Water mains and other water district infrastructure improvements have been implemented as part of the overall project with no expense to the Roslyn Water District.
Roslyn Road Realignment
The realignment of Roslyn Road at the Roslyn High School was a Nassau County project. The work and improvements in the water mains and hydrants was done at no expense to the Roslyn Water District.
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RWD Back-up Systems Insure Continuous Operation
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Douglas Ford, Water Plant Operator, and William Pokora, Maintainer, check out the controls
on one of the generators that kept water flowing during the August 2003 blackout. |
Providing the residents of the Roslyn Water District with a continuing, adequate supply of quality water has always been the primary mission of the District. However additional security and disaster prevention systems are now an integral part of the District's mission according to Superintendent Richard Passariello.
During the past few years the District has implemented a number of measures designed to protect the flow of quality water to the citizens of the District. This includes new internal and external security systems, monitoring of wells and plants, secondary containment systems wherever water treatment chemicals are transferred and even new identification badges for the District employees.
This preparedness was well illustrated last summer. The power blackout on August 14, 2003 throughout the Northeast instantly activated Roslyn Water District's auxiliary power systems which operated flawlessly.
The response was an automatic transfer to electric power supplied by emergency stand-by generators. Within minutes District personnel established procedures to assure a continuous supply of water to the 17,000 residents and businesses of the District. District Superintendent Richard Passariello reported that "checking procedures were established and maintained throughout the night by District operators and commends the fine work performed by Water Service Supervisor, Bernard Murtagh, Maintainer William Pokora, and Water Plant Operator Douglas Ford, who kept the generators operational and water flowing throughout the night.
With an aggregate of 60 years of water supply management between them, they efficiently kept tabs on all the elements to assure no loss or interruption of the water supply. Their efforts truly exemplify their outstanding competence in their profession."
Six of the Roslyn Water District pumping stations are fully equipped with auxiliary emergency power. These units are fueled with natural gas or diesel and produce the electric power required to run pumps at the wells and booster stations.
The Board of Commissioners complimented District staff for their efficiency and professional competence during this historic emergency.
One of the most important elements of our preparation and security systems is the training, vigilance and dedication of our employees.
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