Critical information is split across systems and locations

Water utilities manage treatment plants, pumping stations, reservoirs and other remote assets. These sites require continuous oversight, often from a central control room responsible for several locations.

The information operators rely on may come from several systems. SCADA, water-quality data, equipment alarms, CCTV and maintenance records can all appear on different screens or workstations. Each system provides useful information, but operators still need to bring the details together.

When an incident occurs, the operator must locate the relevant data, identify the correct camera feed and compare the available information before deciding what to do. Separate systems make this process slower, particularly when the operator is managing several sites at once. The time spent gathering information can delay assessment and the wider response.

A delayed alert can affect safety, compliance and service continuity

A control-room team cannot watch every camera continuously across several plants, reservoirs and pumping stations. Operators must divide their attention between camera feeds, alarms and other operational systems. An abnormal condition may therefore remain unnoticed until it becomes more serious or triggers another warning.

Slow detection gives the problem more time to develop. A leak may damage equipment or lead to an environmental incident. Abnormal water levels or debris may interrupt operations. Fire or intrusion can place critical assets at risk. These events may also lead to regulatory exposure or service interruption.

Earlier identification gives operators more time to assess the situation and decide how it should be handled. It also provides a clearer picture before staff are sent to the affected site.

Existing cameras can provide earlier warning

AVCiT's AI Edge Computing Platform adds real-time edge AI video analytics to compatible CCTV cameras. Utilities can use cameras already installed across their sites, avoiding the need to replace the entire network with AI-enabled models.

Water-related algorithms can measure water levels shown on gauges, identify floating objects in reservoirs or waterways and detect liquid leakage around pipes and treatment tanks. The same camera network can also monitor for smoke, fire, site intrusion and PPE non-compliance.

These analytics allow selected cameras to watch for defined conditions. When the system detects one of those conditions, it generates an alert for the control-room team. This reduces the reliance on an operator noticing the event during routine camera monitoring.

The alert must also reach the operator quickly and provide enough information for an initial assessment. The relevant camera feed and event details help the operator identify where the issue has occurred and review what is happening.

A connected control room turns alerts into action

Detected events can be sent to an operator workstation or video wall with millisecond-level response. This brings the event into the control environment where operators already manage the utility's systems.

AVCiT's Video Wall Controller can place the relevant camera feed alongside SCADA, equipment alarms and operational dashboards. The operator can compare the footage with the available system data and develop a clearer view of the event.

AVCiT's KVM over IP system also gives authorised operators access to multiple systems from one workstation. They can open the required application and move between operational sources without changing computers or relocating to another console.

This connected view reduces the time spent locating information during an incident. Operators can review the alert, compare the available data and decide on the appropriate response from the same control environment.

On-site analysis keeps operational footage under utility control

Video from treatment plants, pumping stations and reservoirs may contain sensitive operational information. Utilities need to control where that footage is processed and how it moves through the network.

AVCiT's edge AI video analytics platform processes video at the utility facility. Sensitive footage can remain within the organization's network while the system performs real-time detection.

Keeping the footage on site supports data-sovereignty requirements and avoids the routine transmission of video to an external cloud service. Utility leaders retain greater control over operational data while still receiving alerts when the system detects a defined condition.

Existing infrastructure creates a practical path to wider deployment

AVCiT allows utilities to improve monitoring in stages, using compatible cameras and operational systems already in place. Existing infrastructure can remain in service as AI video analytics, video wall control and KVM over IP capabilities are introduced across more locations.

Adding AI video analytics to compatible cameras is generally more cost-effective than replacing conventional cameras with models that have built-in AI. It also reduces the amount of infrastructure that must be changed at each site.

For utilities managing several plants, reservoirs and pumping stations, this provides a practical way to improve detection, control-room visibility and response. Monitoring can be extended across the network without turning every site into a complete rebuild.

Contact the AVCiT team to discuss how edge AI video analytics and connected control room systems could support monitoring across your water utility network.