What is the purpose of a SCADA system in water/wastewater facilities?

• A. To store vendor contracts
• B. To remotely monitor and control processes, collect data, and raise alarms for operational decisions
• C. To manage financial budgets for facilities
• D. To schedule annual maintenance tasks

Answer: (B)

SCADA systems in water and wastewater facilities provide real-time visibility and control of plant processes. They connect sensors and field equipment to a centralized control system, so operators can monitor parameters like flow, level, pressure, and chemical dosing, and remotely start or stop pumps and open or close valves. The system also collects data and can trigger alarms when something is outside set limits, guiding operational decisions quickly to maintain safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance. Data history and trends support optimization and reporting. This role is distinct from storing vendor contracts, managing budgets, or scheduling maintenance, which are handled by other systems.