HRSD needs to upgrade its aging analog network to remotely operate and control over 120 pump stations and treatment plants across its 3,100 square mile service area. The Smart Sewer Project will install a wireless network with antennae at pump stations and treatment plants to transmit data, as well as 23 communication towers - 11 on existing towers and 12 new towers. This will allow HRSD to reduce sewer overflows and meet regulatory requirements. Entering a public-private partnership will construct the towers at a savings of $2-3 million, and colocating wireless carriers will further offset costs to ratepayers.

1. HRSD’s Smart Sewer Project
Using Wireless Technology to Protect
Public Health and Area Waterways
December 2013

2. About HRSD
• Created by public referendum in 1940 to address
pollution in Hampton Roads
• The region’s first grassroots environmental
organization
• Provides wastewater treatment services to 17 cities
and counties in southeast Virginia
–
–
–
–
Service area: 3,100 square miles
Population: 1.6 million
Collection system: 500 miles of pipes, 104 pump stations
Treatment plants: 9 major in Hampton Roads,4 small
facilities on the Middle Peninsula
– Combined capacity: 249 million gallons per day (MGD)
• Funded by the fees paid by ratepayers
• Vision: Future generations will inherit clean
waterways and be able to keep them clean
2

3. The Need For Smart Sewers
• HRSD, whose system is among the largest in the
nation, must enhance its ability to remotely
operate and control its pump stations and
treatment plants
• Collection and transmission of data from more
than 120 sites across the service area is required
to reduce the likelihood of sanitary sewer
overflows during storms
• HRSD’s antiquated analog network cannot meet
current data transmission needs and regulatory
requirements
• One of 51 US EPA mandated projects
3

4. Key Project Elements
• Wireless antennae to transmit/receive data from
the 3100 square mile area served by HRSD
• Remote directional antennae at pump stations to
connect to an HRSD plant
• Radio Microwave Wide Area Network (WAN) for
data transport between treatment plants and 3
operations centers
• 23 wireless communication towers throughout
the service area are required
 HRSD will lease space on 11 existing towers
 12 new towers will be located at HRSD’s
treatment plants and operations centers
4

5. HRSD’s Wide Area Network Map
5

6. Cost Mitigation
• Lease space on existing towers where possible
• Construct towers on HRSD property when:
– Existing towers are not in right locations or do not meet
engineering requirements
– Towers are required at plants and Operations Centers
• Enter public/private partnership with Milestone
Communications for construction and operation of
HRSD of towers
– Projected savings: $2 million - $3 million
– Opportunity to further offset costs to ratepayers through
colocation of wireless carriers on HRSD’s towers and
properties
6

7. Typical Monopole Structure
7

8. Equipment Areas
8

9. Typical Remote Location
9

10. Typical Remote Transmit / Receive Antenna
10

11. Tower Mounted Antenna
11

12. Microwave Antenna for WAN
• Typical Tower Site will include Two – 6’ Foot
Microwave Dish Antennas
12

13. Milestone Resume
13

14. Milestone Clients

15. Tower Examples
15

16. Tower Example
16