Management and Optimization of Operations at City of Fort Wayne’s (Indiana) Three Rivers Filtration Plant

The Three Rivers Filtration Plant (TRFP) in Fort Wayne, Indiana has a long history of skilled operation and successful production of high-quality drinking water, a result of its highly trained and dedicated operating staff. However, because frequent and often dramatic changes in raw water quality rendered plant operation extremely challenging, management sought to provide the operating staff with new control and operational tools. TRFP was among the first plants in the United States to implement computer modeling for management and optimization of its chemical use processes and operations. This approach utilizes computer models to: (i) address the plant’s various operational issues; (ii) identify the sources of operational challenges; and (iii) develop optimization solutions. These models are then integrated into an operation management computer program that aids plant operation. The implementation of this program has enabled TRFP to produce consistently high-quality finished water while significantly reducing chemical costs.