Littleton Water Department Chooses Longwatch
Use of Existing Data Network Reduces Cost and Risk
The Littleton Water Department is typical of many small to medium-sized operations. They need to deliver potable and palatable water at an affordable price. They are administered by an elected commission and need to be wise with their capital investments. And, like all other water departments, they participated in the required Vulnerability Assessment (VA).
The VA pointed out the need for improved security measures, especially at their remote locations. "Our first step was to install intrusion alarms linked into our SCADA system but this created a problem with false alarms. That's when we really needed to see what was going on out at the remote sites because it was a waste of time and money to physically check the site each time", explained Savas Danos, General Manager for both the water and electric light departments. "That is when we recognized the need to incorporate video monitoring into our system."
Smarter and Faster Alarm Verification
"The VA underscored that a lot can go wrong in a very small window of time - even if it is just five minutes," says Danos.
"It is critically important to quickly recognize whether it is a first- or second-level alarm. The use of the Longwatch
wireless video monitoring equipment, coupled with our existing SCADA alarm system, has had a profound impact on our ability
to accurately assess our alarms. Now we are smarter and faster in our response to an alarm."
"Our first step was to install intrusion alarms linked into our SCADA system, because this created a problem with false
alarms. That's when we really needed to see what was going on out at the remote sites because it was a waste of time and
money to physically check the site each time."
Savas Danos, General Manager
Littleton Electric Light & Water Department
Cost-Effective Solution
The Longwatch Surveillance System is considered the most cost-effective solution because it operates over the existing
communications infrastructure and SCADA system at the Littleton Water Department. So, there is no need to run costly new
communication lines. The full motion video is delivered through the same communication channel, a 9600-baud radio frequency
(RF) network, and is displayed on the same monitor as the SCADA alarm system. This integration provides a single reference
point for viewing numerous remote locations - increasing response speed and accuracy. "Other surveillance systems we looked
at required physically laying down cable from each remote site to the monitoring facility. I like the untethered, wireless
radio frequency communication method of the Longwatch System, versus the hard-wired methods of other solutions," explains
Danos. "Even though we don't have a large number of remote sites, it would still be cost prohibitive for us to lay down that cable."
Cost Savings and False Alarms
Littleton also found cost savings in their alarm response process. "I was amazed at how quickly the Longwatch Surveillance
System was able to help if we had an actual alarm situation in the well field. Every time we don't have to run out to the
site we are saving money," says Danos. When an intrusion alarm goes off, the video footage before and after the event can
be reviewed. If it is a false alarm, an accurate determination can be made as to whether an immediate on-site visit is
required. "We foresee reducing the number of responses by about 75% - from a high of fifteen, down to one or two per
location," said Danos. "Accurate visual information from remote sites can save thousands of dollars in unnecessary responses.
It's easy to calculate the number of remote sites and come up with a quantifiable justification for the Longwatch Surveillance System."
"The use of the Longwatch wireless video monitoring equipment coupled with our existing SCADA alarm system has had
a profound impact on our ability to accurately assess remote site alarms. Now we are smarter and faster in our response to an alarm."
Savas Danos, General Manager
Littleton Electric Light & Water Department
Powerful Tool for Security and Operations Management
"The Longwatch Surveillance System is a powerful tool that has taken us to the next level in securing our community's water supply,"
says Danos. "Additionally, the system can help us improve employee safety. Should an accident take place, the video can be reviewed
to see if procedures need to be changed. We can also use the Longwatch system to assess malfunctioning equipment. This becomes
critical if there is a leak that could cause contamination. The video also provides vital visual information that will help
determine whether or not to shut down operations. There is a lot that you can do with this powerful tool to improve security,
safety and operations management, and I am just scratching the surface of its benefits."
For More Information
For more information on the Longwatch Surveillance System, or to find out how Longwatch can help provide faster, more efficient
and cost-effective threat deterrence, detection and response, contact:
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