ThingsLog Pumping Station SCADA
Automation and Control
SCADA Solution for Remote Management
This solution is a SCADA-based* system designed for the remote monitoring and control of pumping stations.
It enables automated and efficient management of one or more pumps, ensuring optimal performance, energy efficiency, and reliability.
The system integrates advanced monitoring, control, and communication technologies to provide a comprehensive solution for water utilities, industrial facilities, and municipalities.
* SCADA (an acronym for supervisory control and data acquisition) is a control system architecture comprising computers, networked data communications and graphical user interfaces for high-level supervision of machines and processes.
Key Features and Capabilities
-
Automated Control of Pumps
- Combines level, flow, and pressure measurements with ON/OFF alarm capabilities.
- Allows for local or remote control of relay outputs, enabling seamless operation from a central management center or by on-site operators.
-
Tank Data Logging
- Utilizes LPMDL data loggers to collect and transmit tank data via 4G, NB-IoT, CatM1, or LoRa/LoRaWAN to the ThingsLog system.
- Ensures real-time monitoring and historical data analysis for informed decision-making.
-
Programmable Logic for Monitoring and Control
- Allows for the creation of customizable logic to monitor, manage, and control pumping operations.
- Supports advanced automation scenarios tailored to specific operational needs.
-
Flexible Control Modes
- Control can be based on tank levels, predefined schedules, or manual operation by pumping station operators or management center personnel.
- Can be integrated with energy market pricing data to optimize pumping operations during low-cost energy periods, achieving significant energy savings.
-
Real-Time Communication with ThingsLog Controller
- The system communicates in real time with the ThingsLog controller, which manages one or more control circuits via the ThingsLog relay board.
- Provides instant feedback and control capabilities for efficient operation.
-
Control with ThingsLog TLCTL Controllers
- Control is achieved using ThingsLog TLCTL controllers, which feature built-in relay control or Modbus/RS485 integration.
- Compatible with any type of contactor or soft starter available on the market, ensuring flexibility and adaptability.
-
Secure Communication Environment
- Data transmission is secured through GSM, NB-IoT, or LoRa communication, ensuring reliable and tamper-proof connectivity.
-
Automatic Surge Control and Protection
- Includes automatic surge control to protect the pumping station from pressure surges, extending the lifespan of equipment and reducing maintenance costs.
-
Integration with Water Metering and Pressure Control
- Can be combined with water metering zones and centralized pressure monitoring to enhance overall water distribution network management.
Energy-Efficient and Long-Lasting Equipment
Designed for low energy consumption, with a guaranteed internal battery life of up to 5 years. Offers the option for real-time operation and system expansion to accommodate future needs.
Key Features and Benefits
Energy Efficiency
Optimizes pumping operations based on energy market pricing, reducing operational costs.
Reliability
Ensures continuous and reliable operation with real-time monitoring and control.
Scalability
Suitable for small to large-scale pumping stations, with options for expansion.
Sustainability
Reduces energy consumption and minimizes wear and tear on equipment.
Real-Time Monitoring
Provides 24/7 visibility into flow, pressure, and tank level data for proactive decision-making.
Proactive Maintenance
Early detection of issues through real-time alarms and monitoring, reducing downtime and repair costs.
Use Cases
Water Distribution Networks
Water utilities and municipalities can significantly reduce operational costs, minimize water waste, prevent equipment failures, and ensure a reliable and efficient water supply to homes, businesses, and industrial users—all while requiring fewer on-site interventions, less manual labor, and smarter use of energy.
Wastewater Operators
Wastewater operators can improve system reliability, detect issues early, reduce energy consumption, and ensure safe, compliant wastewater management—with fewer site visits, automated pump control, and continuous remote monitoring of key infrastructure.
Agriculture
Agricultural operations can optimize irrigation, reduce water and energy usage, prevent pump failures, and ensure consistent water delivery to crops—even in remote locations—with less manual work, smarter scheduling, and real-time system insights.
Explore Our Products
4G MQTT Modbus controller
ThingsLog TLCTL-1104 is a 4G MQTT Modbus controller build in with street light control and pumping station automation in mind.
Thingslog IIoT Platform
Thingslog offers a Remote Monitoring and Control as an IIoT platform that offers out of the box support to a great variety of low power data loggers, water meters, modbus devices and many smart devices with ESP, Arduino and Tasmota firmware.
Pumping Station SCADA Automation and Control
This solution provides a comprehensive, energy-efficient, and scalable approach to pumping station automation, ensuring reliable and real-time monitoring and control for a wide range of applications.
If you are interested to find out more:
What Is SCADA for Pumping Stations?
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) for pumping stations provides centralized visibility and control over one or more pumping installations from a remote operations center. Instead of sending field technicians to check pump status, manually read meters, or adjust settings, operators can monitor all critical parameters — flow, pressure, power, run hours, fault codes — and send control commands directly from the platform.
ThingsLog Pumping Station SCADA — Key Components
ThingsLog 4G MQTT Modbus Controller
The edge device that connects to pump PLCs, VFDs (variable frequency drives), pressure and flow transmitters, and level sensors via Modbus RTU/TCP. It reads all process data at configurable intervals and transmits to the ThingsLog cloud or local SCADA server via MQTT/TLS.
Real-Time Cloud Platform
Aggregates data from multiple pumping stations, presents unified dashboards showing flow rates, pressures, energy consumption, pump runtime, and alarm status. Historical data enables trend analysis and predictive maintenance planning.
Automation and Control Logic
Beyond simple data collection, the ThingsLog controller executes configurable automation rules at the edge. Pump start and stop commands respond to water level thresholds in wet wells or storage tanks, ensuring continuous supply without manual intervention. Alternation logic rotates duty between multiple pumps to equalize run hours and reduce uneven wear. VFD setpoint adjustments deliver variable speed control so pumps operate at the most energy-efficient point on their performance curve. Emergency shutdown triggers on fault signals such as dry-run protection, overtemperature, or excessive vibration — protecting expensive equipment from costly damage.
- Pump start/stop commands based on level thresholds or time schedules
- Alternation logic between multiple pumps to equalize wear
- VFD setpoint adjustment for variable speed control
- Emergency shutdown on fault detection
Energy Efficiency at Pumping Stations
Pumping stations are typically the largest energy consumers in a water utility’s operational budget. A poorly optimized pumping station may operate at 40–60% of peak efficiency. ThingsLog SCADA improves energy performance through: pump scheduling to avoid peak tariff periods; variable speed drive control to match pump output to actual demand; identification of inefficient operating points using pump curve analysis; energy benchmarking across multiple stations to identify outliers.
Alarm Management and Predictive Maintenance
The platform supports multi-level alarm management: operational alarms (high level, low pressure, pump failure) trigger immediate SMS/email/push notification to on-call staff; performance degradation alerts (increasing vibration, rising motor temperature, declining flow efficiency) trigger maintenance work orders before failure occurs; communication alarms alert supervisors when a station stops reporting. Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) typically decreases by 40–60% when reactive maintenance is replaced with predictive workflows.
Integration with Water Network SCADA
ThingsLog pumping station SCADA integrates seamlessly with the wider ThingsLog Intelligent Water platform. Pumping station data appears alongside DMA pressure, flow, and smart metering data in a unified operational view. API integration enables data sharing with existing utility GIS, billing, and enterprise asset management (EAM) systems.
Cybersecurity and Reliability
All communications between field controllers and the cloud platform use TLS encryption. The ThingsLog controller stores data locally during connectivity outages and transmits buffered records once connectivity is restored, ensuring no data loss even in challenging network environments. Role-based access control restricts control commands to authorised operators, providing an audit trail of every remote action taken at a pumping station. For utilities with strict data sovereignty requirements, ThingsLog supports on-premise server deployment behind the utility’s own firewall.
Typical Deployment Timeline
A single pumping station can be connected and live on the ThingsLog platform within one working day. A regional network of 20–50 stations is typically commissioned within 4–8 weeks, including device installation, platform configuration, alarm threshold setting, and operator training. ThingsLog provides remote commissioning support and a dedicated project engineer for larger rollouts.
