Patawalonga Lake System PLC and SCADA Upgrade

McMahons & Department of Environment and Water (DEW)

• Location: Glenelg, South Australia
• Industry: Water Management

The Patawalonga Lake System (PLS) is a 1.6-kilometre man-made waterway running parallel to the coastline from Glenelg to West Beach. Managed by the Department for Environment and Water (DEW), it plays a critical role in flood prevention and water quality management for the Adelaide region.

The system prevents flooding by controlling stormwater flows and mitigating tidal events, while maintaining lake water quality through the circulation of seawater from south to north. Automated gates at the northern and southern ends are guided by realtime data from inlet and outlet level sensors, with operations aligned to tidal patterns.

DEW required a modern, reliable control system to replace ageing infrastructure, improve flood prevention and water quality management, and provide real-time visibility with secure remote access for operators and the community.

Prior to the upgrade, the Patawalonga Lake System was operating on an ageing control and monitoring environment that no longer met the demands of a critical water infrastructure asset. The site relied on a legacy Allen Bradley SLC500 PLC, supported by a basic SCADA platform that offered only limited monitoring and control functionality.

More than 20 years of operational data was stored on SQL Server 2000, restricting reporting capabilities, data integration, and long-term sustainability. The system also lacked modern features such as remote and mobile access, proactive alarm notifications, and seamless integration with external data sources.

In addition, the environment had minimal redundancy and limited cybersecurity measures, leaving it vulnerable to operational disruptions and inefficiencies. These constraints created significant challenges in supporting reliable flood management, water quality monitoring, and transparency for both operators and the community.

Control System Modernisation

• Replacement of the legacy SLC500 PLC with the advanced Allen Bradley CompactLogix PLC.
• Deployment of the Ignition SCADA platform for enhanced system monitoring and control.

Data Integration and Reporting

• Seamless migration of 20 years of historical data from SQL Server 2000 to PostgreSQL.
• Automated reporting tools, including: 9:00 AM Report, Gate Operation, Report, SMS Status Updates.

Advanced System Features

• Alarm notifications via VOIP, SMS, and email to ensure proactive fault response.
• Integration of tidal data through REST API for dynamic system adjustments.
• Development of a CCTV interface with Python-based snapshot tools and FTP support.
• Secure Azure cloud-hosted interface enabling remote access.

Training and Visual Tools

• Simulation videos demonstrating system operations and functionalities.
• Operator audit tracking to ensure accountability and transparency in operations.

The upgrade delivered a modern, reliable control system that significantly improved flood prevention and water quality management for the Adelaide region. Operators now benefit from real-time visibility, mobile and cloud access, and automated reporting, enabling faster and more informed decision-making.

The migration of historical data, enhanced alarm notifications, and integration with CCTV and tidal data have strengthened system resilience and transparency. Importantly, the community now has access to accurate, up-to-date water information, supporting public confidence and proactive flood awareness.

• Redundancy, Failover and Network Security
• Mobile Device SCADA Functionality
• Alarm Notification – VOIP, SMS, E-mail
• Import of tidal data via REST API’s
• Operator Audit Tracking
• Simulation Video’s demonstrating Functional Description requirements
• CCTV Interface (RTSP, Python, Snapshots, FTP, Reverse-proxy)
• IT Network Topology Status Interface (SNMP)
• Reporting – 9:00am Report, Gate Operation Report, SMS Status Update
• Azure Cloud Hosted Interface
• Migration of 20-years’ worth of existing data from previous SCADA (SQL Server 2000 to PostgreSQL)
• Interfacing of new system information to existing public website via custom API for WaterConnect (Rust, Jython, Reverse-proxy)
• CHAZOP process, allowing for the design to have redundancy with cloud azure hosting

The new Ignition SCADA platform delivers detailed, real-time insights into lake conditions, gate operations, alarms, and tidal forecasts. Operators can view system performance trends, analyse data, and respond quickly to changing conditions with clear, easy-to-use dashboards on desktop or mobile devices.

With secure Azure-hosted integration, operators are no longer tied to on-site systems. They can monitor live water levels, adjust gate operations, and receive alarm notifications via VOIP, SMS, or email from anywhere, ensuring faster response times and more reliable system management.

To provide transparency and real-time information to the community, SGA integrated the upgraded system with the client’s public website.

• Live Water Levels: Real-time updates on tide levels, lake conditions, and stormwater flows.
• User-Friendly Visuals: Intuitive charts allow the public to monitor current water levels and identify potential flood risks.
• Data Accuracy: Seamless API integration ensures precise and timely information delivery.