AWWA ACE54484

In January, 1999 Contra Costa Water District embarked upon a major project to upgrade the distributed control system (DCS) at their 40 million gallongs per day Randall-Bold Water Treatment Plant in Oakley, California. The upgrade was driven by limited DCS expansion capability, obsolescence of 1980s era components, diminishing support, and Year 2000 compliance issues. Phase One of the upgrade included the replacement of proprietary operator interface hardware and software with open system components and networks. The most significant challenge was to complete the project without interrupting operations. Due to time and budget constraints, the project was structured in a "design/build" format with no detailed contract documents and no formal submittals required. The first phase of the DCS upgrade project was completed and several key objectives were achieved with no plant shutdowns. Follow-up projects are planned and similar techniques will be employed to accelerate project completion with minimal disruption to plant operations. Includes figures.