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OPTI & SCADA COMPLETE THE PUZZLE
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Integrations unlock new opportunities to improve stormwater management. Opti's advanced technology now has the ability to integrate with multiple platforms, SCADA systems, and applications to extend your networks and capabilities for an efficient, smart watershed network. That integration provides data consolidation, asset performance management, and network optimization capabilities. One example is Opti's Coordinated Release module which integrates with SCADA and third-party monitoring devices to give operators a new way to manage upstream flows outside the fence. Register now for the Opti and SCADA: Partners in Watershed Optimization Webinar on May 6th, 2021.
What are APIs?
Like a menu defines food a customer can buy at a restaurant, APIs or "Application Programming Interfaces" define the data and commands software programs can get from and give to each other. The menu provides you what you need to know to integrate your water systems.
When it comes to the APIs you get from environmental management platforms, the "menu" is really about what insights they can provide to other applications your organization uses, and how easily they can connect to your existing sources of data. Two "famous" APIs for environmental and water-related data are:
- The USGS Instantaneous Values Web Service where you can access up-to-the-minute streamflow data from thousands of gauges across the US.
- The National Centers for Environmental Information Web Services provide access to weather and climate data, including data from radar and satellite installations.
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Funding Water Infrastructure Improvements|
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Opti is always on the lookout to help communities identify funding resources, especially in these times. Here are a couple we are watching closely.
1. The Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2021 provides essential funding for the nation's wastewater and water infrastructure. "The priorities laid out in the bill speak to the goal of ensuring neglected water systems are not merely tended to, but made stronger," says West Virginia Senator Capito.
2. The EPA announced a $67 million grant program to fund projects for managing runoff. The grant program recognizes the use of innovative methods such as real-time control for CSO, SSO, and stormwater management. With access to grant funding and Opti's record saving costs, the time to protect your communities is now.
3. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is releasing an $18 million Community Flood Preparedness Fund. The grant will support Virginia communities in fighting the challenges of increased flooding, storm events, and sea level rise. The first grant round will open before summer.
Mark Doneux, CRWD on Active Control
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Joining Travis Loop on the Words on Water Podcast, Mark Doneux, Administrator of the Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD), discussed stormwater management trends in the country. Doneux noted the rise of technology in the industry, such as adaptive control systems for stormwater management infrastructure. Technology is essential to move the stormwater industry forward and meet the climate challenges of the future. In March, Opti performed a perfect draw-down event in Upper Villa Park, where we've partnered with CRWD to reduce runoff and improve water quality using real-time control technology.
Opti Dashboard Screenshot
Learn more about Opti's technology at optirtc.com/products.
David's Corner
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Patience is a virtue. However, when confronted with injustice, suffering, or inaction when we know we can make a difference, we have no business being patient. My impatience and sleepless nights is with the needless flooding, pollution, and the degradation of our environment and health.
Opti has proven technologies, modernized engineering practices, and thousands of passionate community advocates. By aligning people, process, and technology we can reverse this climate crisis for a healthier environment, community, and economy.
Communities are being held back by our past. Rather than the traditional approach of centralized planning, design, build and run, let's take a decentralized approach to flood management. Target key areas in a watershed, and integrate over time. With today's technology and leading edge practices, take a lesson from the tech industry and utilize agile practices that lead to an integrated Smart Watershed Network.
We learn from the past, we continuously improve into the future. Let's get impatient together- we can do this!
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Smart Watershed Network Management (SWNM) is WEF Stormwater Report's featured product of April. Opti technology brings control and adaptable watershed management based upon real-time downstream conditions, in coordination with the weather forecast and local watershed conditions.
SmartCover provides sewer flow monitoring with automatic data analytics for ongoing prediction and prevention of overflows; this helps Albany, NY meet stringent Sewage Pollution Right to Know (SPRTK) mandates. The Opti integration with SmartCover provides Albany with additional control and visibility of their watershed.
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IoT For All, a publication focused on building a better world through the Internet of Things, featured Opti's technology. In "IoT Applications for Stormwater Management", Opti was highlighted as part of the smart city movement. IoT technology such as Opti's CMAC (Continuous Monitoring and Adaptive Control) provides protection, significant environmental outcomes, and greater insight for stormwater management. As an example of transformative applications of IOT in stormwater, IoT For All highlighted Opti's CMAC installation in Lenexa, KS. The CMAC installation mitigates flooding and improves water quality with forecast-driven controls. Read the full article here.
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Last month, Opti presented at the Runoff Rendezvous Chesapeake Stormwater Network Webinar Series. Opti discussed Smart BMP Technology at the "New Paradigms to Manage Future Urban Floods in the Bay Watershed" panel alongside a great lineup of stormwater innovators. To learn more about the benefits of active control and monitoring to manage stormwater runoff, and our success story in Howard County, view the presentation here.
MDOT Celebrates Earth Day with New Smart Ponds
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In the first public-private partnership of its kind, Opti worked with The Nature Conservancy and Walmart to deliver water quality credits at a savings of 75% to the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). The delivery team, including KCI and Apex, achieved this goal by retrofitting stormwater ponds with Continuous Monitoring and Adaptive Control (CMAC) across Walmart stores in Fruitland, Aberdeen, and Hagerstown. Improved stormwater management in the Chesapeake Bay reduces pollution and mitigates flooding- creating a huge positive impact for all communities. Opti is committed to its mission of protecting the Earth's environment and water supply through the power of technology, and working with innovative partners makes that possible. Read the full press release here.
In Case You Missed Us on LinkedIn This Month
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