Dispatching of Sewage Pumping Stations, Water Pumping Stations, and Wells (SCADA)

Dispatching of pumping stations (sewage/water) — comprehensive SCADA solutions for water utilities

A sewage pumping station stopped at two in the morning — and no one found out until morning, when the basements were already flooded. A water pumping station failed to reach its operating mode — and pressure dropped across half a neighborhood. Both incidents share one cause: the absence of dispatching. LK Energy designs and installs SCADA systems for sewage pumping stations, water pumping stations and artesian wells — from the technical specification through commissioning and further service, as a full-cycle EPC contractor.

What is dispatching of sewage and water pumping stations — and why it is needed

Dispatching of pumping stations is the centralized monitoring and remote control of sewage pumping stations, water pumping stations, wells and reservoirs from a single dispatch center, in real time.

The system collects data from every object on the network, transmits it to the SCADA platform, displays it on the dispatcher's mimic diagram, and automatically responds to deviations from the norm — without human involvement, or with minimal involvement.

Key effect:

• Reduction in emergency call-outs — in the range of 50-80% depending on the current condition of the network and equipment type*
• Electricity savings — in the range of 15-30% thanks to frequency control of pumps*
• Reduction in water losses — in the range of 10-25% through early detection of unaccounted leaks*

*Estimated values. The actual effect depends on the current condition of the equipment, network configuration, electricity tariffs and the quality of maintenance prior to implementation of the system.

Which facilities the dispatching system covers

LK Energy automates the full range of water supply and sewage infrastructure facilities:

Sewage pumping stations

monitoring of the level in the receiving reservoir, control of discharge pumps, monitoring of emergency overflow

Water pumping stations

booster pumping stations: maintaining network pressure, cascade control of pumps, flow metering

Artesian wells

both single and clustered: water table level, minute and daily flow rate, condition of the submersible pump

Clean water reservoirs (CWR)

monitoring of fill level, control of supply and offtake

Water towers

monitoring of level, supply pressure, valve condition

The architecture scales: from a single sewage pumping station in a small settlement to dozens of facilities in the distributed network of a regional water utility.

Three-level architecture of a SCADA system

Any industrial dispatching system is built on a three-level architecture, where each level has a clear function.

Level 1 — field equipment

Sensors and actuators are installed at each facility:

Level sensors

(hydrostatic or ultrasonic) — for the reservoirs of sewage pumping stations and clean water reservoirs

Pressure gauges and pressure sensors

at the pump suction and discharge, in the pressure header

Flow meters

(electromagnetic) — metering of supplied and pumped water

Current and voltage sensors

monitoring of pump motor consumption

Temperature sensors

motor winding, bearings, transformer substation

Vibration sensors

for diagnosing the condition of the pump unit (optional)

Motorized valves

remote opening and closing

Level 2 — controllers and communication channel

An industrial programmable logic controller (PLC) from a leading manufacturer is installed in the automation cabinet at the facility. The PLC:

• reads data from sensors (analog and discrete inputs)
• executes automatic control algorithms (maintaining level, pressure, pump cascading)
• transmits data to SCADA over a communication channel (GPRS/GSM modem, 4G, fiber optic or radio channel)
• supports a local HMI (Human-Machine Interface) — an operator panel directly at the facility

Communication protocols with SCADA: Modbus RTU/TCP (the mainstream choice for water utilities), as well as OPC UA for integration with ERP systems.

Level 3 — dispatch center (SCADA)

The SCADA server and operator workstations provide:

• Real-time display of the mimic diagram of the entire network
• Trend archiving — storage of all parameters with a timestamp for analysis and reporting
• Logs of emergency events and operator actions
• Generation of reports (daily, monthly, annual) for the technical service and management
• Remote control of pumps and valves

What is monitored: full list of parameters

The dispatcher and the system automatically track:

At sewage pumping stations:

• Level in the receiving reservoir (current, max/min emergency)
• Status of each pump unit (on/off, mode, current, operating hours)
• Discharge pressure
• Electricity consumption (kWh — for automated commercial electricity metering)
• Presence of phases, phase imbalance, voltage dips
• Presence of flooding (sensor in the sump pit)
• Temperature in the automation cabinet and pump room

At water pumping stations:

• Pressure at suction and in the discharge pipeline
• Flow rate (m³/h) and cumulative total (m³ per day, month)
• Operating mode of the variable frequency drives (setpoint, current frequency, current)
• Number of switch-ons and duration of each cycle
• Status of circuit breakers and protection devices

At wells:

• Static and dynamic level (level sensor or signal floats)
• Volume produced per cycle / per day
• Status of the submersible pump and "dry running" protection

All parameters are stored with trend archiving — the minimum step is usually 1-5 minutes depending on requirements.

Automatic control and mode optimization

Dispatching is not just monitoring. The system performs automatic control without human involvement:

Level maintenance (sewage pumping stations)

The PLC switches pumps on and off based on the level in the receiving reservoir. The pump alternation algorithm ensures even operating hours and prevents overloading of a single unit.

Frequency control (water pumping stations)

A variable frequency drive (VFD) regulates the speed of the pump motor depending on the current network pressure — maintaining the set value (setpoint) with an accuracy of roughly ±0.2–0.5 bar (depending on the pressure sensor and PID loop tuning). This is a key energy-saving tool: the pump consumes exactly as much energy as is needed at a given moment, rather than running at full speed.

Cascade pump control

As water consumption rises (morning peak), the system automatically brings additional pumps online, and takes them offline as demand falls. Each successive start is via a VFD with a smooth ramp-up, without water hammer.

Daily schedules

The operator sets operating schedules — for example, reduced pressure at night, increased pressure in the morning. The system implements the schedule automatically.

Emergency events and notifications

When an emergency condition arises, the system acts through several channels simultaneously:

Audible and visual signal

on the HMI panel at the facility

Emergency SMS notification

automatically sent to the phones of the on-duty dispatcher and the service manager

Telegram notification

(where configured) — with the facility name, parameter and time of the event

Entry in the SCADA event log

with a timestamp

List of typical monitored faults:

• Flooding of the sewage pumping station pump room (level sensor in the sump pit)
• Phase failure or voltage imbalance (pump fails to start → motor damage)
• Motor overtemperature (thermal protection)
• Level in the sewage pumping station receiving reservoir has reached the emergency maximum value
• Emergency start of the standby pump
• Loss of communication with the facility for more than N minutes (self-diagnostics)
• Unauthorized opening of the automation cabinet door (tamper contact)

The system supports escalation — if the on-duty operator does not respond within a set time, the notification is sent to the next person in the chain of responsibility.

Trend archive and reporting

Industrial SCADA stores a complete archive of all parameters with a timestamp. This is not merely a technical necessity — it is a regulatory requirement.

What the archive is used for:

• Analysis of an emergency situation after an incident: what happened in the 10-30 minutes before the failure
• Confirmation of compliance with the technological regulations during an inspection
• Planning maintenance based on actual operating hours
• Water metering reporting in accordance with applicable building codes

Standard reports:

• Daily balance of supply and discharge (m³)
• Electricity consumption schedule by facility
• Operating time of each pump (motor-hours, number of starts)
• Summary of emergency events for the month

Reports are generated automatically and can be exported in PDF / Excel format for submission to management or a regulator.

Energy efficiency: a measurable result

Pump operating mode has the greatest impact on electricity consumption. Traditional schemes, where a "pump is either fully on or fully off," lead to excessive network pressure and premature wear.

Implementing variable frequency drives together with automatic control makes it possible to:

• Maintain network pressure exactly at the technological setpoint — without exceeding it
• Avoid idle starts and "short cycling" (frequent switching on and off shortens motor life and draws more starting current)
• Implement a reduced night-time mode (where permitted by the technology)

Estimated electricity savings from converting a water pumping station to frequency control — in the range of 15-30% of current consumption.* For a water utility with annual electricity costs of UAH 2-5 million, this amounts to roughly UAH 300,000 to 1.5 million per year.

*Actual savings depend on the current pump mode, network configuration and applicable electricity tariffs. An exact calculation is performed after an audit of the facility.

Integration with the automated commercial electricity metering system makes it possible to track consumption by time-of-day zone and optimize consumption under the night tariff.

Integration with metering and related systems

A SCADA system does not exist in isolation. At the level of industrial protocols, integration is provided with:

Variable frequency drives

via the Modbus RTU/TCP interface or built-in proprietary protocols (depending on the VFD manufacturer). Modes, setpoints, actual current and voltage are read.

Electricity meters

via the M-Bus protocol or Modbus, for generating automated commercial electricity metering reports

Water metering devices

(flow meters) — via M-Bus or a PLC pulse input

At the workstation-application level (where required) — integration with:

• The water utility's ERP system (1C, BAS) for transmitting production accounting data
• GIS (geographic information system) for displaying events on a network map

Communication channels and data-transmission reliability

Communication between the field level and the dispatch center is a critical link in the system. LK Energy designs communication channels taking into account the reliability requirements and budget of the customer.

Main options:

Channel redundancy: for critical facilities, two independent channels from different operators are designed in. If the primary channel is lost, the PLC automatically switches to the backup. If communication with the facility is absent for longer than a set threshold, SCADA generates a "No communication" emergency notification.

PLC in autonomous mode: even with a complete loss of communication with the dispatch center, the PLC continues to execute the facility's control algorithm — data accumulates in a buffer and is transmitted once communication is restored.

Implementation stages: from audit to service

A sewage/water pumping station dispatching project goes through several sequential phases:

1. Technical audit of the network

Survey of existing facilities: equipment inventory, assessment of the condition of pumps and electrical switchboards, verification of GSM coverage, identification of "problem" facilities where failures occur most often.

2. Technical specification and design

Development of the SCADA scheme (architecture, protocols, equipment specification), agreement with the customer. For municipally owned facilities — passing the design expert review.

3. Equipment supply

Automation cabinets, PLCs, sensors, variable frequency drives, GSM modems. Procurement is carried out strictly according to the project specification.

4. Installation

Installation of automation cabinets at the facilities, mounting of sensors, laying of cable runs, connection to power circuits. All work is carried out by LK Energy's own installation crew.

5. Programming and commissioning works

PLC programming (control algorithms, setpoints), development of the SCADA project (mimic diagram, trends, reports, emergency messages). Commissioning at each facility — verification of all operating modes.

6. Commissioning and staff training

Handover of the system to the customer, preparation of documentation (data sheets, diagrams, operator instructions). Training of dispatchers and technicians in working with the HMI and SCADA.

7. Service maintenance

Warranty and post-warranty support: software updates, preventive inspections, prompt troubleshooting. The mode and scope of support are fixed in the service agreement.

Service and technical support after commissioning

"Deliver and forget" is not our practice. After the system is commissioned, LK Energy provides:

Technical support

responding to questions from the customer's operators and technical services in accordance with the terms of the service agreement

Remote monitoring and maintenance

system diagnostics, updates to PLC and SCADA settings without a site visit, via a secure VPN connection

Scheduled technical inspections

checking sensors, checking communication channels, testing emergency signals

Response to emergency situations

crew dispatch under the terms of the agreement

The warranty period for the work performed is in accordance with the terms of the agreement (individually agreed).

For critical infrastructure facilities, we recommend entering into a long-term service agreement with a fixed response time (SLA) — this removes the risk of system downtime in the event of a fault.

Regulatory framework

The design and installation of water utility dispatching systems is regulated by:

DBN B.2.5-75:2013

DBN (Ukrainian state building code) "Sewerage. External networks and facilities. Basic design provisions" (the main standard for sewage pumping stations)

DBN B.2.5-74:2013

DBN "Water supply. External networks and facilities. Basic design provisions" (for water pumping stations)

IEC 61131-3

the standard for industrial PLC programming languages (harmonized in Ukraine)

IEC 60870-5-104

a telemechanics protocol (for integration with higher-level systems)

For facilities classified as critical infrastructure — the requirements of Law of Ukraine No. 1882-IX "On Critical Infrastructure" regarding the protection of control systems apply.

LK Energy carries out work in accordance with current legislation and prepares the full set of technical documentation required for commissioning the facility.

Questions and answers

1. How much does dispatching a single sewage pumping station cost? The cost depends on the condition of the existing equipment, the type of pumps, the distance to the dispatch center and the chosen communication channel. The estimated cost of an automation cabinet and PLC for a single medium-sized sewage pumping station is from UAH 150,000-250,000, excluding installation work and SCADA licenses.* The exact cost is determined only after an audit.

*Estimated values, calculated individually after a survey of the facility.

2. Can existing old pumping stations be connected? Yes, generally. Even if a facility has an outdated relay-based scheme, we replace the automation cabinet while keeping or upgrading the pump units. The solution is selected individually based on the results of the survey.

3. Which SCADA platform do you work with? The choice of SCADA platform depends on the scale of the system and the customer's preferences. We have experience working with several industrial SCADA solutions. Please check with your project manager to confirm the current stack.

4. What happens if power is lost at a sewage pumping station? The PLC and SCADA communication in our standard package include an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for 30-60 minutes — to maintain communication and properly complete the pump cycle. In the event of a prolonged outage, the system switches to a safe state and logs the fault.

5. Is a permanent internet connection required at every station? A GSM signal (3G/4G) or another communication channel is required. Permanent broadband internet is not mandatory — a mobile connection is sufficient for transmitting telemetry. At facilities without GSM coverage, we use a radio channel or LoRaWAN.

6. Can the system be controlled from a mobile phone? Yes, given an appropriate SCADA client or web interface — the dispatcher can view the status of facilities and receive emergency notifications on a smartphone. SMS notifications work on any phone.

7. Who services the system after handover? LK Energy provides warranty and post-warranty maintenance. The terms and mode of support are set out in a separate agreement. We recommend entering into a service agreement for a term of at least 2-3 years.

8. Do you carry out work under ProZorro tenders? Yes. LK Energy has experience participating in tenders for municipal enterprises and water utilities. We prepare all the necessary technical documentation in accordance with the requirements of DK 021:2015 (Common Procurement Vocabulary). For more details — contact our manager.

9. How long does it take to implement a project? From signing the agreement to commissioning — usually 2-4 months for a typical network of 5-10 facilities. Timelines depend on the number of facilities, equipment supply conditions and the availability of ready technical documentation.

10. What does staff training include? Training dispatchers to work with the SCADA interface, familiarizing technical services with the principles of PLC operation and control algorithms, and providing operating instructions and emergency procedures. Training is included in the cost of commissioning.

Why choose LK Energy

Full-stack SCADA competence

PLC programming, development of dispatch mimic diagrams, configuration of communication protocols and data archiving

EPC model

design, supply, installation and service in one set of hands, with no subcontractors on critical operations

ProZorro tender experience

we understand the specifics of documentation for municipal customers

Over 20 years

(since 2005) in industrial electrical engineering and automation

Documentary accountability

a full set of design and as-built documentation, data sheets, commissioning certificates

Additional context: Street lighting dispatching for communities — another direction of SCADA automation from LK Energy for municipal customers.

Order a network audit

The first step toward dispatching is a free preliminary technical audit of your network: we survey the facilities, record the condition of the equipment, assess the automation potential and provide a preliminary technical solution with an estimated budget.

Fill out the form below — indicate the name of your enterprise, city/region, the approximate number of sewage and water pumping stations, a contact person and phone number. We will review the request and get in touch on a business day.

Or contact us directly — see the contact details in the "Contacts" section.