New MCWD data system operational by next year

CEBU, Philippines – The P600-million Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District will be completed in March of next year and will be operational by the first half of 2016.

SCADA  is a computer-based control system to improve supply management and this will enable the water district to respond to consumer complaints faster and will make water distribution in the water district’s service area more efficient.

This will also enable the water district to minimize water losses as part of its water conservation efforts.

Funded by a P679-million grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the SCADA system was awarded to the winning bidder, Hitachi-Yokogawa JV, in Japan last January.

The project was made possible through MCWD’s twinning program with the Yokohama Water Co. Ltd.  Yokohama   Water   saw   MCWD’s   need   for   a   Scada   system   and   it   was endorsed to JICA.

As a result, MCWD received a grant from JICA worth 1.6 billion Japanese yen or P679   million   at   the   rate   of   P.42   a   yen   for the   development   and implementation of the project.  This is the biggest grant given to a water district in the Philippines by a foreign country.

MCWD only spent about P60 million for customs taxes and duties of the equipment.

The contractor is working with a composite team from MCWD  in designing, programming and coding, testing and validation and commissioning of the system.

At least 10 personnel from the MCWD Information and Communication Technology Department, Maintenance Support Services Department and Production and Distribution Department form the composite team have undergone a weeklong training on how to run and manage the system.

In a statement, MCWD said the SCADA system will help MCWD identify the area with low water pressure and act on it promptly.

Like a well-managed traffic system that ensures efficient traffic flow, MCWD will also get real-time data on water pressure and reservoir supply as well as remotely switch on or off pumps and close or open valves.

This will also help MCWD manage its non-revenue water as it can immediately send a team to spot a leak once there is a sudden drop in water pressure and address the problem even before the consumers feel it or complain about it.

The SCADA system will help the water district save funds for new or expansion projects to serve more customers, the press statement read. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMD (FREEMAN)