The Operation & Maintenance Manual for the Information Age

In almost every wastewater treatment plant there is a large document, usually found in a three-ring binder or two. It is dust covered, with torn and dog-eared pages, neglected and in need of updating and has the title “Operation and Maintenance Manual” on the cover, but not anymore. The old O & M manual has come of age and entered the realm of cyberspace.Olver Incorporated has developed a state-of-the-art Web Based On-Line Operation and Maintenance Information System for the Town of Christiansburg, Virginia's wastewater treatment plant. The web-based manual includes all of the parts of a standard manual and more. It includes text sections describing the various components of the treatment facility, along with links to the as-built drawings, photographs, operational information, manufacturers' manuals and drawings, and design information. The most important aspect of the on-line manual is the ability to access current up-to-date operational and performance information. This can all be accessed by a click of the mouse.The system allows authorized users access to the system from any Internet connection. The Operator can obtain plant operating and performance data from his home Internet connection during the weekends or off hours anytime he feels the need.The Town of Christiansburg's wastewater treatment plant expansion was started-up in November of 2000 and the Web Based On-Line Operation and Maintenance Manual is expected to be up and running in 2001. This paper describes the development, implementation, and ultimate use of the web based manual, as well as the pitfalls encountered in making it work.