Enhancing Cary’s water system
A partnership was formed between the Town of Cary’s (Cary) water department and WithersRavenel. Our firm has invested in new technologies to support clients across the state. This partnership aimed to create a framework to explore industry options and develop clear guidance. It also aimed to collect, process, and analyze water system data beyond regulatory requirements.
Clear metrics for optimal performance
While Cary staff know their water distribution system well, they wanted clear metrics to measure performance. WithersRavenel’s investigation aimed to give Cary research-based context for investment decisions. It also provided resources to support innovative growth and proactive system management.
Water system analysis efforts
WithersRavenel professionals began by acquiring and evaluating existing water system and hydraulic modeling data, along with previous studies and SCADA information. An extensive analysis of the existing data was conducted while collecting additional data with hydrant pressure recorders (HPRs). These focused efforts were then set within current industry choices on the Internet of Things (IoT). These choices included vendor-specific and vendor-agnostic platforms, machine learning and AI, and digital twins.
Investing in emerging technology
Cary was advised to invest in emerging technology to improve data collection and analysis. This would help clarify the system’s current and future needs and trends. The final report presents current and future water industry options. It links them to the desired pace of change. It also considers comfort levels with automated solutions.
Lastly, WithersRavenel delivered a specialized report which distilled complicated technical terminology, industry vernacular, and specialized concepts into approachable and relatable visuals, definitions, and analogies.