Carroll County PSA reports SCADA rollout nearing completion, seeks EPA help to inventory aging assets

Carroll County Public Service Authority members heard updates Sept. 2 on regional wastewater projects, a near-complete SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) rollout and an EPA-funded asset inventory intended to guide future repairs and replacements.

The updates matter because several small subdivisions rely on PSA pump stations and wells whose failures or power-related outages can leave residents without water; the planned EPA inventory is intended to create a prioritized, equipment-level plan to direct future maintenance and funding requests.

Mike (staff member) told the authority the Exit 1 regional wastewater grant application was updated to request additional funding, and that the Exit 1 plant had “installed the screens” and that tests were “coming back in range.” He said work remains on SCADA and that the system is “almost…to the finish line,” with one site still waiting on power. When asked how often the screens are cleaned, Mike said, “Every day, by hand.”

During the update he said the authority had previously chosen a manual-screen option over an automated (and more expensive) system when it bid the work, and that adding further automation would raise costs. Board members and staff discussed that automation could be added later and that monitoring amperage and other PLC data could be layered onto SCADA in future phases.

A resident, Kathy Wade, said her Hillcrest Estates subdivision (about 41 lots) has experienced repeated power outages since moving in eight months ago and that when the power goes out the community loses water. Wade told the board the subdivision is growing — “we've had 3 or 4 families move in just in the recent, 10 months” — and asked what the Authority’s plan is for maintaining the pump station building on Heather. Mike and other staff explained the outages described by Wade were caused by the electric utility (AEP), and that Hillcrest relies on well power rather than municipal distribution; PSA staff said the issue therefore was not a PSA power supply failure. Board members asked staff to follow up and suggested sending Wade a letter describing the Authority’s plans.

The authority also said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will assist the PSA through a grant program to develop a formal asset-management plan and inventory “with no cost to us,” according to Mike. He described the EPA work as an inventory that would capture equipment ages, serial numbers and photos, and produce a prioritized improvement plan the PSA can use when applying for funding. Mike said he would provide the board with a copy of the inventory when available.

Other updates: Deer Ridge line-extension work has been paused, Spring Willow is the current focus and Pine Grove line extension will wait until Spring Willow is finished. Board members and staff discussed volunteer offers and PPE needs for crews that clean screens by hand. An EMS generator was inspected but staff said the unit had not run for some time and replacing or sheltering it was not judged feasible at present.

No formal action was taken on the SCADA rollout, the EPA asset-inventory work or the Hillcrest resident’s request during the meeting; the EPA support was described as a grant program the authority will cooperate with and that will not impose a direct cost to the PSA. Staff were directed to follow up with the Hillcrest resident and to share the asset inventory when it is produced.

For next steps, the PSA will await the EPA inventory, continue SCADA commissioning at the remaining site pending power, and proceed with Spring Willow work before moving on to Pine Grove.