Modernising Critical Water Infrastructure With Digital Control Systems

Fitzroy River Water has selected Honeywell to upgrade and digitise two major water facilities in Rockhampton, marking a significant step in the region’s long-term infrastructure strategy. The Glenmore Water Treatment Plant and the North Rockhampton Sewage Treatment Plant will receive modern industrial automation technologies to support growing service demands. Moreover, the project aligns with the council’s plan to expand capacity from 50,000 to 75,000 equivalent persons, reflecting rising population needs rather than physical output volume.

Deploying Experion PKS SCADA to Strengthen Operational Control

Honeywell will implement its Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS) SCADA R530 across both sites. This platform integrates pumps, valves, sensors and field devices into a unified digital environment. Operators at Glenmore will gain remote control of the North Rockhampton facility through a single interface, enabling faster decisions and more consistent plant performance. In my experience, centralised SCADA systems significantly reduce operator workload while improving situational awareness across distributed assets.

Enhancing Reliability Through Automation and Data Consolidation

The upgrade introduces automated remote operations and consolidates asset data into one system. Therefore, plant teams can monitor performance trends, respond to alarms quickly and optimise process conditions. Honeywell expects the modernised control systems to reduce unplanned downtime and extend asset life. These outcomes are common when utilities adopt advanced PLC and DCS-based architectures, which provide tighter control and more reliable diagnostics.

Cybersecurity Becomes a Core Priority in Water Sector Automation

Honeywell emphasises that the new SCADA platform includes enhanced cybersecurity features, such as controlled user access and secure data transfer between sites. As water utilities increasingly digitalise operations, cyber protection becomes essential for safeguarding critical infrastructure. From my perspective, utilities that modernise control systems often gain stronger resilience against cyber threats, especially when legacy systems are replaced with contemporary architectures.

A Long-Term Partnership Supporting Regional Water Operations

The Rockhampton project builds on a three-decade relationship between Honeywell and Fitzroy River Water. Over the years, the two organisations have deployed several generations of automation technology across the region’s plants. The new upgrade replaces older systems with modern software and hardware, ensuring compatibility with current industrial automation standards. This continuity demonstrates the value of long-term vendor partnerships in maintaining stable water and sewerage operations.

Expanding Digitalisation Across Australia’s Water Sector

Honeywell continues to support digital transformation projects across Australia’s water industry. Many utilities are investing in automation upgrades, cybersecurity improvements and integrated control systems to meet rising regulatory and operational demands. The Rockhampton programme reflects this broader trend, showing how regional networks are adopting modern industrial automation tools to improve service reliability and operational efficiency.

A Unified Automation Strategy Across Multiple Industries

Honeywell positions the Rockhampton upgrade within its wider industrial strategy, which focuses on energy efficiency, safety and secure operations. The Experion PKS SCADA platform is already used in energy, resources, manufacturing and other process industries. As a result, utilities benefit from a consistent approach to process control, data management and digitalisation. This cross-industry alignment often accelerates technology adoption and reduces integration complexity.

Author Commentary: Digital Water Infrastructure Is Entering a New Phase

The Rockhampton upgrade highlights a growing shift in the water sector toward fully digital operations. SCADA platforms, remote control capabilities and integrated data environments are becoming standard expectations rather than optional enhancements. In my view, utilities that invest early in automation and cybersecurity will gain long-term advantages in reliability, cost control and regulatory compliance. Honeywell’s involvement suggests that major automation vendors see water infrastructure as a strategic growth area.

Application Scenarios and Practical Use Cases

Remote Operations for Distributed Water Assets

Operators can manage multiple treatment sites from a central control room, reducing travel time and improving response speed.

Integrated Data for Predictive Maintenance

Consolidated SCADA data helps maintenance teams identify pump wear, valve issues and sensor drift before failures occur.

Cybersecure Water Treatment Operations

Modern control systems provide stronger protection against unauthorised access and network-based threats.

Scalable Automation for Growing Communities

Digital platforms allow utilities to expand capacity without major redesigns of control systems.