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Wichita State students present energy and cybersecurity audit of Augusta wastewater plant
Summary
A Wichita State University student team briefed the Augusta City Council on an energy audit and cybersecurity review of the city wastewater treatment plant, identifying variable-frequency drives for influent pumps, future UV-system replacement and modest solar options as potential savings, and recommending stronger SCADA protections.
Wichita State University engineering students presented a semester-long energy audit and cybersecurity review of the Augusta wastewater treatment plant to the Augusta City Council on May 5, 2025, recommending variable-frequency drives for influent pumps, replacement of the plant's aging UV disinfection system when it reaches end of life, targeted solar deployment, and stepped-up SCADA cybersecurity measures.
The audit team, which included Ever Villalobos, Reed Hopkins, Will Kreiser and a cybersecurity specialist identified as Waleed, said the study analyzed plant energy use from 2022 through 2024 and identified three main technical opportunities for savings: the oxidation ditch aeration system, the influent pump station and the UV disinfection system. Kara McCluskey, the students' faculty sponsor, and industry sponsors Tim Johnson, the city's public utilities director, and Shane Nolan, superintendent of the wastewater treatment plant, supported the project and provided site access.
The students…
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