West Basin favors Aveva and Schneider for $23m control system replacement

West Basin favors Aveva and Schneider for $23m control system replacementThe California district is advancing a hybrid software-hardware solution for its critical infrastructure, citing lower long-term costs and better support compared to market rivals.

The Engineering & Operations Committee recommended proceeding with Aveva System Platform software and Schneider Electric Modicon hardware.

The total project cost is estimated at $23 million, with a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for construction expected in September 2026.

Staff rejected Rockwell Automation due to high hardware costs and Inductive Automation’s Ignition due to integration risks.

The project is being delivered via progressive design-build with Tetra Tech as the design-builder and Arcadis as the owner's advisor.

West Basin Municipal Water District is moving forward with a major overhaul of its Distributed Control System (DCS), selecting a solution combining Aveva System Platform software with Schneider Electric Modicon hardware. During a January 21 Engineering & Operations Committee meeting, the board provided consensus input for the General Manager to proceed with the staff-recommended system, which beat out three other shortlisted competitors. The DCS replacement project is a critical long-term investment for the district, with the new system expected to be in use for 15 to 20 years. The total project cost is estimated at $23 million, which includes design, construction management, and staff time. A Class 5 construction estimate presented in November pegged construction services at approximately $17 million, though staff anticipates this number may drop in the upcoming Class 4 estimate due to the selection of a lower-cost technical solution. John Benner, Engineer 3 at West Basin, presented the results of a two-stage evaluation process that narrowed the field from 13 systems to a shortlist of four: Aveva/Schneider, Inductive Automation’s Ignition (with Schneider hardware), Rockwell Automation’s PlantPAx, and Siemens Simatic PCS 7. The evaluation team, which included staff, owner’s advisor Arcadis, and design-builder Tetra Tech, ranked the Aveva and Schneider Electric combination as the top choice. Benner described it as a "hybrid system" that maintains a single point of contact, as Aveva is a subsidiary of Schneider Electric. Key advantages cited included "Made in America" hardware, high compatibility with existing district equipment, and software ready-made for the water and wastewater industry. While the Aveva solution utilizes a subscription-based software model—a shift the district noted is becoming an industry standard—it remained the second cheapest option for annual costs. To mitigate subscription price risks, the district intends to lock in pricing for three to five-year periods. The committee reviewed and ultimately rejected the other three shortlisted options based on specific technical and business deficiencies: * **Rockwell Automation (PlantPAx):** While acknowledged as a comprehensive, made-in-America system with strong support, it was deemed the most expensive option. Benner noted Rockwell has "by far the most expensive hardware," leading to higher initial and maintenance costs. It also faced compatibility concerns with some of the district's older equipment. * **Inductive Automation (Ignition):** This option combined low-cost Schneider hardware with Ignition software. While it offered the lowest upfront material costs, staff flagged significant operational risks. Benner described the software as a "blank box" requiring high customization, noting that third-party contractors would charge more to service a unique system. Additionally, the vendor does not provide the 24-hour support required by the district. * **Siemens (Simatic PCS 7):** Ranked as a mid-range option, this system was viewed as a solid technical upgrade but suffered from a lack of local support infrastructure. Staff noted the equipment is not made in the USA and is less common in the California market, limiting the pool of consultants available for future bid work. The project is currently in the pre-construction phase. Tetra Tech is serving as the design-builder, while Arcadis is retained as the owner's advisor. The team is currently completing a 60% system design and developing standards. Staff expects to return to the board with a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) in September 2026, at which point the board will vote to proceed with the full construction phase or utilize an off-ramp option.