The Guadalupe City Council has declared a state of emergency regarding the city's Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, which is crucial for monitoring and controlling water treatment processes. This decision comes after a partial system failure in August left the city operating under manual conditions, raising concerns about the reliability of water management.

During the meeting, city officials explained that the existing SCADA system, nearly 20 years old, cannot be repaired and must be completely replaced. The new system will not only restore automated monitoring capabilities but also allow for future upgrades to enhance water management efficiency. The estimated completion time for the installation is 17 weeks, pending approval.

Due to the urgency of the situation, the council opted to bypass the standard competitive bidding process typically required for public projects. Instead, they will procure the new system as an emergency project, which requires a four-fifths majority vote from council members. This approach is necessary to ensure timely action, as the current system could fail completely at any moment, leaving the city without critical data on water flow and treatment processes.

While the replacement was not budgeted, city officials confirmed that reserves are available to cover the costs, and they are exploring additional funding from other projects to help offset expenses. The council will need to provide ongoing reports at future meetings until the emergency is resolved, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the process.

This decisive action underscores the city's commitment to maintaining safe and reliable water services for its residents, highlighting the importance of modern infrastructure in public health and safety.