Data on tap

By Chuck Scholpp, Hach

Chuck Scholpp explains how sustainable water information management solutions can help reduce risks to public safety, cut costs and identify necessary process upgrades.

Scientific research indicates that as many as 20 million Americans may become ill each year due to the parasites, viruses and bacteria in drinking water. This does not include the thousands of toxic chemicals that are also found in our public water systems. 

Utilities do their best to manage a very important and complex problem, but it can be overwhelming. Hach Water Information Management Solutions (Hach WIMS) software is a tool designed to make it easier for municipalities to manage and utilize the large amount of data that is generated each day.

Public safety is a primary concern of our city leaders; however, with constantly tightened budgets, it becomes more difficult to address these concerns. Utilities are faced with increasingly complex regulations, escalating costs, aging infrastructures, a changing workforce, and security concerns. How do you balance these conflicting needs in a cost effective way? Sustainable water information management solutions are imperative.

Hach WIMS software allows you to optimally manage your organization. Designed to work with drinking water and wastewater systems of any size, Hach WIMS software provides streamlined reporting, user-defined alerts and powerful charting, graphing and mapping tools to provide data quickly to decision makers.  Built-in tools provide security and ensure the data is accurate and useful so you can make the best decisions possible for your community.

Increasing public safety
Due to the amount of information that is typically compiled, an organization cannot possibly look at every piece of data. Termed "Management by Exception", Hach WIMS software allows an organization to review only relevant impactful data, enabling users to spend their time and energy on value-added activities rather than on data gathering and mining. Hach WIMS software automatically provides critical reports on any recurring time basis, ensuring accurate data and saving utilities extensive labor hours in preparation, assembly and submission to State authorities.

It enables managers to more quickly recognize utility issues and determine necessary budget trends, while also pointing them to ways to save money and upgrade processes for the future.

Responding to EPA mandates
With the EPA planning to crack down on violators starting in 2010, strong management of this vital resource becomes even more important to city governments. Common typing or transcription errors can have a domino effect causing miscalculations and reporting inaccuracies.  A typical fine for an effluent violation can be as much as $50,000.

The power of Hach WIMS software is its flexibility. Data can be captured automatically or entered manually to build a variety of different reports.  The software even provides an audit trail along with a data compliance and verification engine. Knowing that the data you receive and record is accurate gives you peace of mind when reporting to the regulatory agencies and making important decisions.

In Colorado, the Littleton/Englewood Wastewater Treatment Plant saved time and money by using the accurate reporting features. The City of Salem, Oregon used the product to address their environmental management needs.  South Carolina used the program to streamline processes and locate efficiencies. Whatever your initial need may be, the benefits are many.

"Hach WIMS is central to everything that the LEWWTP does," said Brenna Durkin, Littleton/Englewood Wastewater Treatment Plant DBA Specialist.

"The Hach WIMS product has been instrumental in the collection of relevant data," said Stephanie Eisner, NRS Project Coordinator. "Its data capture and reporting capabilities have provided us a comprehensive analysis of the wetlands pilot project."

For more information please call 800-227-4224 or visit www.hach.com/wims.

Chuck Scholpp directs Hach's Integrated Information Management business, developing integrated solutions that leverage instrumentation, communications, people, and software. Chuck has held positions in engineering, marketing, service program management, product management and new product development in water-related industries. He holds a BS in Industrial Engineering, an MS in Engineering Management, and an MBA.