The Critical Role of Backup Power in Water Utility Automation

Water utilities in Australia and New Zealand rely on highly automated control systems to manage the collection, treatment, and distribution of water, as well as wastewater processing, sewerage networks, and flood mitigation infrastructure. These systems include remote telemetry, SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), and pump station automation. Any disruption in power can cause significant operational failures, resulting in service interruptions, equipment damage, and regulatory compliance risks.

One of the most effective ways to mitigate these risks is through small form-factor DC-UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) solutions (<1kW), which ensure continuous power to critical control systems in the event of mains failure.

Where DC-UPS Systems Are Used in Water Utilities

DC-UPS solutions are deployed across various water infrastructure applications to provide reliable backup power to essential automation and control systems:

1. SCADA & Remote Telemetry Systems

• What It Powers: Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), PLCs, communication modules, and data loggers.
• Impact of Power Failure: Loss of real-time monitoring and control over pumps, valves, chemical dosing systems, and flood mitigation infrastructure, increasing the risk of operational failures and regulatory violations.

2. Pumping Stations & Motor Control

• What It Powers: PLCs, industrial networking equipment, and small motor controllers.
• Impact of Power Failure: Unscheduled shutdowns, loss of water pressure in supply networks, overflow events in wastewater and sewerage systems, or failure of stormwater drainage pumps during heavy rainfall events.
  
  

3. Chemical Dosing & Water Treatment

• What It Powers: Flow meters, dosing pumps, and instrumentation sensors.
• Impact of Power Failure: Inaccurate chemical dosing or failure of disinfection processes, potentially leading to unsafe water conditions and environmental contamination.

4. Flow, Pressure & Sewerage Monitoring Systems

• What It Powers: Smart sensors, industrial routers, and wireless telemetry units.
• Impact of Power Failure: Inability to detect leaks, pressure drops, overflows, or blockages in real time, leading to unplanned maintenance, water loss, and increased environmental hazards in sewerage networks.

5. Emergency, Alarm & Flood Mitigation Systems

• What It Powers: Critical alarms, emergency shutdown (ESD) systems, flood warning sensors, and stormwater pump controllers.
• Impact of Power Failure: Delayed response to system failures, increasing the risk of localised flooding, sewerage overflows, and environmental damage.

Choosing the Right DC-UPS for Water Utility Applications

When selecting a DC-UPS system for water automation and control, key considerations include:

• System Voltage: 12Vdc, 24Vdc, 48Vdc, 110Vdc.
• Load: Define load requirements, including duty cycle (e.g. 24Vdc Cont. 5A load, with a 15A peak for 3 minutes per hour).
• Backup Time Requirements: Determine the required backup duration, whether for short-term safe shutdown or extended runtimes (2, 4, 8, 12, or 24 hours) for critical infrastructure in remote or hard-to-service regions.
• Battery Type: VRLA (AGM), VRLA (GEL), Lithium-Ion, Ni-Cd, or other chemistries. The DC-UPS must incorporate the correct charging algorithm for the chosen battery technology.
• Temperature Considerations: Assess the maximum ambient temperature the DC-UPS will operate in. D-Rating factors may need to be applied, and temperature-compensated charging is recommended to extend battery life.
• Mechanical Form Factor: Options include Chassis Mount (Panel Mount), DIN-Rail Mount, or 19" Rack Mount configurations.
• Cooling: For low-powered DC-UPS systems in industrial applications, natural convection cooling is preferred to avoid the reliability issues of fan-cooled units, especially in humid, dusty, or hot environments.
• Environmental Protection: DC-UPS units must be installed in appropriately rated enclosures for indoor or outdoor use. Additional protection, such as conformal coating, is beneficial in wet, humid, or chemically harsh conditions.
• Manual Battery Start-Up Switch (LVD Override): Enables a technician to replace a battery and restore critical equipment operation (e.g. RTUs, PLCs) without waiting for mains power restoration.
• Monitoring & Diagnostics: Choose between dry contact relay alarms (e.g. Mains Fail, Rectifier Fail, Battery Fail) or advanced communication options such as Modbus or Ethernet for remote monitoring.

Powerbox is well positioned to offer an extensive range of DC-UPS products suitable for the water utilities market. Many customers across Australia and New Zealand trust Powerbox to back up their critical assets, ensuring reliable operation across SCADA, telemetry, pumping, chemical dosing, alarm, and flood mitigation systems.

Water utilities in Australia and New Zealand require uninterrupted automation and control to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operations. Small form-factor DC-UPS systems (<1kW) play a crucial role in maintaining power to SCADA, telemetry, pumping, chemical dosing, alarm, and flood mitigation systems during outages. By investing in a reliable DC-UPS solution, utilities can improve resilience, reduce downtime, and maintain regulatory compliance, ensuring continuous water supply, wastewater management, and flood prevention.

Would you like to explore tailored DC-UPS solutions for your water utility infrastructure? Contact us today to discuss how we can help secure your automation and control systems.