Training Workshop Report, SEPTEMBER 4 TO 6, 2006 – DJERBA - TUNISIA
SONEDE co-organised with AfWA an international workshop themed ‘‘Technical Management of water and Sanitation through data processing tools’’, September 4-6, 2006. This workshop dealt with three major topics:
- Water supply facility remote management
- Computer-assisted maintenance management
- Geographic information systems
The opening ceremony was featured by speeches delivered by AfWA Secretary General, SONEDE’s CEO and the honourable Tunisian Secretary of State to Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fishing. These speeches emphasized the significance of computer-based management for water supply facilities and improved efficiency.
While delivering his speech AfWA Secretary General first of all extended his heartfelt thanks to the Tunisian Government for hosting this event. He then pointed to the lasting and fruitful relationships AfWA has maintained with SONEDE that spared no effort to ensure effective international cooperation with all AfWA’s member countries. The Secretary General carried on with a presentation on on-going major projects and AfWA’s bodies, especially the Scientific and Technical Council which plays a critical role for AfWA as well as its specialised commissions, among which one is chaired by SONEDE.
SONEDE CEO having welcomed all invitees and participants, laid emphasis over an improved utilization of computers through the development of such fields as measuring devices that enable users to ensure better control of water supply facilities. Then the speaker started pointing out a variety of computer-based applications relevant to network technical management as well as various projects carried or being carried out for SONEDE, be it in the area of remote management or geographic information systems.
For his part, the Tunisian Secretary of State stressed the relevance of computers by showing all efforts made towards water economy as compared to scarce water resources that has reached it highest capacity rate. Though Tunisia capita ratio only account for 450 m3 per year, the Government could meet all users water requirements through sound management of local water resources.
This workshop’s morning working session comprised four presentations. The first one showcased Tunisia water supply sector by laying emphasis over water integrated management performances relevant to the water sector and development prospects.
The second presentation was about a success story on remote management in the south-east region of Tunisia. Emphasis was placed on major success factors such as sound design, maintenance efforts and staff training.
The third presentation gave hint at a given company’s – SOFREL – experience in terms of designing and implementing remote management systems. The speaker underscored the advent of technological advances in the fields of communication and computer science fostered a significant development of remote management systems.
the last morning presentation dealt with a variety of sensors and means of communication that could be used with central stations. The speaker highlighted the existing technologies for sensor remote configuration and at the same time showed how incompatible such technologies might prove; hence from the onset, users should make informed choices whenever it comes to any equipment.
In the afternoon session, three presentations were made. The first one provided an introduction to the basic operation of controlling softwares. As participants exchanged ideas and opinions, emphasis laid on selection criteria and the specifications to be inserted in the software terms of reference.
The second presentation was about a description of communication protocols and modes of operation in relation to existing computers as well as coding checking methods and reliable data transfers. The speaker also showed how computer networks were structured including the role of ‘API’ as master/slave and customer servers.
Day one last presentation focussed on a remote management system operated at a town called Kef. This was a window of opportunity for SONEDE to further assert its competency on the ground. Considering how rather complex water supply in this region, another alternative such as remote management was a key to make the most of water-based systems management.
Day two working session consisted of another four presentations, the first one being relevant to a remote management system operated at Jelma/Sbeithla. This system and its operation were described to all participants. Participants were also introduced to data processing and transfer to central station, including softwares that any user may operate.
The second presentation showcased MOTOROLA’s option in the field of remote management. This consisted of a wide range of equipment and a systems proprietary protocol.
The third presentation was about an example of remote management systems implementation. To this purpose, the speaker highlighted a project stages including all comparative costs related to system components. Special emphasis was placed on protective measures and precautions to take so as to secure any equipment in a sustainable manner.
The third work session ended with a presentation on SOFREL, a firm manufacturing a range of remote management equipment. Emphasis was laid on including recently-developed technologies and interoperability among remote management systems.
The last work session for this workshop involved four presentations. The first one dealt with computer-aided maintenance management whereby maintenance costs and pause periods for machines can be reduced significantly.
The second presentation was relevant to the utilisation of telemetry through acquisition tools to record data under a management project for the distribution network operated in the island of Jerba and large customer follow-up.
The third presentation showcased the instance of the Marseille-based water utility as to the utilisation of computers for water supply networks.
The last workshop presentation was related to a project for the set-up of a geographic information system at SONEDE coupled with a job-based application. Emphasis was laid on the approach SONEDE used to implement its GIS system. Project phase one consisted in involving all SONEDE technical people because the latter are responsible for generating information and are also the first ones to use this information. The speaker underscored the significance of data processing, be it quality or quantity-wise and that is overriding to such a project success.
Following the various fruitful discussions held in the course of the workshop, recommendations were made as follows:
- With regard to developing terms of reference, in-depth considerations should be given so as to ensure quality results. These discussions should be open-minded, flexible and forward-looking.
- Remote management projects should be tailored to user’s actual needs while ascertaining such projects timeliness, which is a determining factor in relation to the scope and complexity of the alternatives to be resorted to.
- In order for remote-management projects to be successful, appropriate training should be provided on an on-going basis for every staff concerned and every system put in place should be suitably maintained.
- SONEDE should enter into a partnership with equipment suppliers so as to include into its in-house training center curricula specific training courses related to remote management. This specific training will also be extended to the rest of AfWA’s member countries (especially technical staff).
- Exchanges of lessons learned from all AfWA’s technical people in the field of remote management should be encouraged to make the most of all experiences.
- Remote management and GIS systems should be used to improve the quality of services offered to subscribers.