For many Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs), the management of water levels and pump station assets has historically relied upon manual oversight and physical site visits.
In isolated or rural environments, this approach often necessitates "special journeys" to verify water levels, check pump status, or clear weedscreens: tasks that are time-consuming and often reactive.
As environmental demands increase and staffing resources become more streamlined, the transition from traditional manual monitoring to a robust telemetry solution is no longer a luxury; it is a technical necessity. However, skepticism remains regarding the complexity and cost of such systems, as well as concerns about the impact on the existing workforce.
At Lee-Dickens, we have observed that modern telemetry does not replace the human element; rather, it empowers board members and engineers to work more effectively by removing unnecessary "check-up" drives and providing the critical data needed to make informed operational decisions without avoidable travel.
The Empowerment Factor: Enhancing the Workforce
A common misconception in the water management sector is that the introduction of automated monitoring and remote control will lead to job losses. In practice, the opposite is true. Telemetry acts as a "force multiplier" for existing staff.
By utilising the Sitewatch Anywhere® platform, a single operator can oversee multiple holdings and isolated pumping stations from a smartphone or tablet. In this context, holdings refers to the areas of land or farm properties managed by landowners within the drainage district. This removes the routine burden of manual check visits, allowing technical staff to focus their expertise on maintenance, strategic planning, and rapid response to genuine emergencies.
As Michael W. Dale, a Board Member at Feldale Internal Drainage Board, noted: "As the Chairman and myself help to maintain and operate the Feldale pump and do not live within the drainage district we would have to make special journeys to check upon the pump and water levels… The Board now have peace of mind." — Lee-Dickens Spring 2020 Newsletter
Technical Overview: The Cloud-Based Advantage
Historically, the barrier to entry for telemetry was high. IDBs were required to invest heavily in upfront capital for servers, software licences, and specialised IT personnel to maintain the infrastructure. This model often proved prohibitive for smaller boards.
The shift toward a Software as a Service (SaaS) model has fundamentally changed this landscape. Lee-Dickens’ Sitewatch Anywhere® offers a subscription-based approach that provides several technical and financial advantages:
- Zero Capital Outlay: There is no requirement for IDBs to purchase or host their own telemetry servers. The entire infrastructure is managed by Lee-Dickens in a secure, high-availability environment.
- Elimination of Obsolescence: Since the server hardware and software are managed centrally, the board is protected from the "end-of-life" cycles that typically plague on-premise systems. Updates and patches are handled automatically.
- High Integrity Security: Data transmission is secured using private APNs (Access Point Names), ensuring that critical control signals and station data never transit the public internet.
- Thin Client Access: The system uses a thin client interface, meaning no software needs to be installed on user devices. Authorised personnel can log in via any standard web browser.
Remote Control and Visual Verification
Beyond simple monitoring, modern telemetry provides the capability for active asset management. For many IDBs, the ability to remotely start a pump on an ad-hoc basis is a vital operational requirement.
Remote Pump Control
During periods of high rainfall or unexpected surges, the ability to trigger a pump remotely can prevent localised flooding before a physical team can reach the site. The Sitewatch RCMS provides secure, two-way communication, allowing for the manual override of automated systems when situational variables demand it.
CCTV Provision: "Eyes on the Station"
Visual verification is a significant component of modern site management. CCTV can be provided as part of the package to give a comprehensive overview of the station's status. Operators can visually confirm:
- Water Levels: Comparing sensor data with a visual staff gauge.
- Weedscreen Status: Checking for blockages that may require physical intervention.
- Security: Monitoring for unauthorised access or site tampering.
Solar-powered CCTV monitoring pole for remote site surveillance.
A typical CCTV arrangement comprises one Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) camera covering the weedscreen and adjacent watercourse, with a second camera providing general visibility of the station and its immediate surroundings. This arrangement supports remote decision-making without requiring routine attendance simply to establish whether intervention is actually necessary.
Operational Reliability and Data Integrity
A telemetry system is only as valuable as its reliability. Lee-Dickens provides a system achieving 99.97% uptime, ensuring that alarms and status updates are delivered when they matter most.
Alarm Management
Sitewatch Anywhere® features an advanced alarm notification service. If a water level exceeds a specific threshold or a pump reports a fault (such as a trip or power failure), the system immediately sends notifications via email or SMS. This enables a proactive rather than reactive response.
Trending and Analysis
The ability to log and trend data over time, such as rainfall versus pump run-times, allows IDBs to identify patterns and optimise station performance. Understanding how a station responds to specific weather events is critical for long-term infrastructure planning.
As Ed Johnson, Chief Engineer at Witham Fourth IDB, stated: "We can now load summer, winter, and design water levels into the SCADA visual display… key to Engineers, Supervisors and Pump Attendants efficiently managing rain events remotely while dealing with other pressing issues." — ADA Gazette Summer 2023
Direct Engineer Support as Part of the Subscription
The subscription model does not end at software access. Direct access to Lee-Dickens engineers is included for remote support, configuration assistance, alarm investigation, and day-to-day operational guidance. For many boards, this practical support is important during initial adoption and equally valuable during live operation, because the system is not simply supplied and left to the customer to interpret alone. In straightforward terms, Lee-Dickens holds the customer's hand and makes the system easy to use.
Budget Predictability
Subscriptions can also be purchased upfront for multiple years. This allows boards to lock in costs, reduce exposure to annual budget fluctuations, and simplify financial planning for telemetry, support, and ongoing platform access.
Scalability: From Single Assets to Multi-Site Boards
One of the primary benefits of the Lee-Dickens solution is its scalability. The technical architecture is designed to accommodate everything from a single-pump station, such as the Feldale Pump Station, to complex multi-site operations like those managed by Witham Fourth and South Holland IDBs.
For boards starting their digital transition, intelligent telemetry units can be installed to monitor basic levels and alarms. As the board’s requirements grow, additional sensors, flow meters, rainfall gauges, and control modules can be integrated into the existing Sitewatch interface without a complete system overhaul.
Conclusion: A Strategic Investment
Telemetry is no longer a complex "dark art" reserved for major utilities. It is a practical, cost-effective tool that enables Internal Drainage Boards to protect their communities and manage their assets with greater precision. By adopting a cloud-based, subscription-model system, boards can enjoy the benefits of 60+ years of engineering expertise with minimal financial risk and no IT burden.
The integration of remote monitoring, control, and visual oversight ensures that employees are more effective, routine check-up drives are reduced, assets are better protected, and the response to environmental challenges is swifter than ever before.
About Lee-Dickens Ltd
Lee-Dickens Ltd specialises in the design, prototyping, and manufacture of high-integrity industrial and military process monitoring and control systems. With over 60 years of expertise, we provide bespoke engineering solutions, including process instrumentation, telemetry, and contract electronics manufacture. Our Sitewatch Anywhere® service is a leading choice for remote monitoring in water management, defence, and industrial sectors.
For a demonstration of Sitewatch Anywhere® or to discuss your specific monitoring requirements, contact our engineering team.