North Coast & QCC Partner to Deliver Reliable, Cost-Efficient Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade

The city of North Bend, Washington, faced critical failures in its aging wastewater treatment infrastructure. To address these issues, North Bend invested $38 million to upgrade their systems.

As part of the upgrade, North Bend contracted with Quality Controls Corporation (QCC) to integrate modern control systems and infrastructure improvements. QCC worked closely with North Coast Electric , a Sonepar company and critical partner in designing and implementing the motor control solution. The project used advanced technology to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure long-term sustainability, providing more reliable service to residents and supporting both environmental and public health.

The Problem

In 2014 North Bend, Washington, faced critical failures in its aging 1950s-era Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), which required the city to spend substantially on emergency repairs. To address this issue, North Bend commissioned a study that revealed the WWTP needed significant upgrades and improvements to meet forecasted demand and environmental safety standards.

The study recommended new equipment for the initial wastewater treatment process, an extra tank for treating wastewater, two new clarifiers to help clean the water, a new building for UV treatment and electrical systems, an aerobic digester for processing sludge, a screw press to remove water from solids, and various other safety and utility improvements.

North Bend’s primary objective was to make these necessary and extensive technical upgrades and plant improvements quickly and efficiently. Secondarily, North Bend wanted to continue building out a standard Rockwell Automation control system platform with Ethernet/IP control networks, allowing more efficient monitoring of sewer and water operations.

The Solution

North Coast’s and QCC worked closely to develop a solution that would meet the requirements of the IEEE-519 industrial distribution systems standard, physically fit within the footprint of the electrical building that the architect had already designed, and could be delivered on budget.

The comprehensive plan for the wastewater control system leveraged Mesta filters and 罗克韦尔自动化 Motor Control Centers (MCCs). The solution employed FactoryTalk Studio 5000, a standardized software suite from Rockwell Automation, an industry leader in control systems, for designing, programming, and managing industrial automation processes.

Powerflex 750 Series Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), designed for efficient motor speed control, were integrated via Ethernet/IP to optimize energy consumption and improve operational efficiency at the WWTP within their automated processes.

North Coast’s team was instrumental in engineering an active system solution - an efficient and cost-effective way to prevent and reduce electrical disturbances (harmonics) within the system. This solution ensured that the physical size of the motor control equipment and fit within its installation footprint. Mesta’s active filter solution meets IEEE-519 electrical compliance standards for power quality. Mitigating the need for passive harmonic filters significantly lowered both motor control equipment and construction costs, allowing the solution to fit existing infrastructure design and the city’s budget.

Results

QCC, in partnership with North Coast, successfully delivered a solution using equipment and software from Rockwell Automation and Mesta that met a set capital improvement budget while employing the most standardized equipment in the industry:

• Cost efficiency: By leveraging standardized Studio5000 software and integrating Powerflex 750 VFDs via Ethernet/IP, software development and testing costs were reduced by approximately 20%.
• Construction savings: The new control system minimized the need for additional electrical equipment, significantly reducing construction costs by eliminating excess cables and conduit.
• System reliability and long-term benefits: The project ensures a more reliable, future-proofed wastewater system, reducing the risk of emergency repairs and providing a solid foundation for growth.
• Community impact: With the expansion of the public wastewater network, North Bend residents still relying on private septic drain fields will soon have access to a more reliable and efficient system.

The city of North Bend celebrated this vital infrastructure improvement, which enhances public health, promotes long-term sustainability, and improves the quality of life for all residents. ?

Congratulations to the team at North Coast on the completion of this vital project!

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