Municipal water utilities across Tennessee face a common challenge: keeping pump stations efficient while managing rising energy costs and limited staff resources. For one local utility, frequent site visits and unexpected downtime were draining both time and money.

VFTechnical Services in Kingsport, TN partnered with this utility to implement a tailored automation and monitoring solution. The results were dramatic — a 40% improvement in pump station efficiency and significant cost savings. Here’s how we achieved it.

The Challenge

The utility operated several pump stations across the Tri-Cities region. Operators were required to physically visit each site multiple times a week to check performance, troubleshoot alarms, and adjust pump speeds.

• High travel costs: Fuel and labor expenses were rising.

• Slow response times: Issues often went unnoticed until operators arrived onsite.

• Energy inefficiency: Pumps ran at fixed speeds, consuming more power than necessary.

• Compliance concerns: Manual recordkeeping made it difficult to meet reporting requirements.

The utility needed a solution that would reduce travel, improve response times, and optimize pump performance — without compromising reliability.

The Solution

VFTechnical Services designed and deployed a remote monitoring and control system tailored to the utility’s needs.

Key components included:

• RTU-Based Monitoring: Real-time data collection from each pump station.

• Wireless Connectivity: Secure matrix network for instant alerts and diagnostics.

• PID Loop Control: Automated pump speed adjustments based on suction pressure and flow demand.

• Paperless Graphic Recording: Automated compliance reporting with secure web access.

• Remote Connect Server: IPsec/OpenVPN protocols for secure operator access.

This integrated solution allowed operators to monitor and control pump stations from a central location — or even from mobile devices in the field.

The Results

Within months of implementation, the utility reported measurable improvements:

• 40% Reduction in Operator Travel: Remote monitoring eliminated unnecessary site visits.

• Faster Response Times: Instant alerts allowed operators to resolve issues before customers noticed.

• Energy Savings: PID loop control reduced pump energy consumption by 25%.

• Improved Compliance: Automated reporting simplified EPA and state documentation.

• Enhanced Reliability: Secure remote access ensured continuous operation without compromising safety.

The utility not only saved money but also improved service reliability for its customers.

Operator Feedback

Operators praised the system for its ease of use and flexibility:

• “I can see pump performance from my laptop without driving across town.”

• “The alerts give us time to act before problems escalate.”

• “Compliance reporting is now automatic — no more manual logs.”

This feedback highlights the value of combining technical innovation with operator-friendly design.

Why It Matters

This case study demonstrates how automation and remote monitoring can deliver real-world benefits for municipal water systems:

• Efficiency: Less travel, lower energy costs, and optimized performance.

• Reliability: Faster response times and reduced downtime.

• Compliance: Simplified reporting and documentation.

• Security: Safe, encrypted access to critical infrastructure.

For utilities across Tennessee, these improvements translate into better service for communities and stronger financial sustainability.

Conclusion

VFTechnical Services helped a Tennessee utility achieve a 40% improvement in pump station efficiency by implementing a secure, real-time monitoring and control solution.

If your facility faces similar challenges, we can design a system tailored to your needs — whether it’s modernizing existing infrastructure or deploying new automation tools.

Contact VFTechnical Services in Kingsport, TN today to learn how we can help your utility save time, reduce costs, and improve reliability.