Watt Unit, in collaboration with its partner Schneider Electric, has successfully modernized the Băneasa Drinking Water Treatment Plant by implementing an integrated industrial automation and advanced SCADA monitoring solution. The project enhances operational reliability, process safety, and the quality of drinking water supplied to the local community.
The Băneasa plant plays a critical role in the regional water supply system. Prior to the modernization, it faced a major challenge: elevated nitrate levels in the raw water, requiring continuous monitoring and precise control to ensure compliance with the legal limit of 50 mg/L. In addition, the facility relied on only partially automated processes, had limited operational visibility, and required frequent manual intervention, resulting in inefficiencies and increased operational risks.
Watt Unit designed and delivered the hardware and digital architecture, integrating and implementing the solution across the facility while tailoring it to the site’s operational requirements. Schneider Electric supplied the industrial automation technologies that underpin the new system. Together, the two companies transformed the existing treatment process into an intelligent, connected, and predictive operation.
The newly implemented automation optimizes critical treatment processes by automatically activating filtration systems according to nitrate levels, adjusting pump operation based on operational demand, and precisely dosing chlorine in response to real-time water quality parameters. The outcome is a self-adaptive process requiring minimal human intervention while delivering improved operational performance.
Since the implementation, the plant has consistently maintained nitrate concentrations below the legal threshold, improved energy efficiency and resource utilization, increased operational reliability while reducing downtime, minimized human error through automation, and provided operators with complete real-time access to process data and historical records.
Operators have transitioned from manual process control to data-driven supervision, while the local community now benefits from a safer, more reliable, and fully compliant drinking water supply that meets European standards.
“Projects involving critical public services, such as drinking water supply, carry an enormous responsibility for our teams,” said Alin Mihăilescu, Software & Automations Director at Watt Unit. “We have extensive experience working with utility providers across Romania and are confident in our ability to deliver reliable, feature-rich solutions that meet the demanding requirements of this sector. Our collaboration with Schneider Electric, one of the world’s leading technology providers, enables us to achieve these results.”
“The digital transformation of critical infrastructure such as water treatment plants is no longer an option—it is a necessity for ensuring safe, efficient, and sustainable public services over the long term,” said Lucian Ene, Head of Sales Buildings EUs & Channels, Schneider Electric Romania. “Together with our partner Watt Unit, this project demonstrates how industrial automation and integrated digital solutions can significantly improve operational performance. These technologies provide operators with the visibility and tools they need to make fast, informed, data-driven decisions. Digitalization is becoming a fundamental pillar in modernizing infrastructure and strengthening the resilience of public services.”