Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA) has successfully deployed IndigoVision’s IP Video Security Solution to help protect its 300-acre wastewater facility.
Two of the biggest security challenges faced by the Water Authority included perimeter monitoring of a wide geographical area of 300 acres and protection of multiple remote buildings with limited connectivity. Because of the sheer size of the facility, shrinkage had also become an issue with thieves cutting through the perimeter fence with no prevention due to limited security camera coverage. Funding for the project was made available to the Water Authority via a grant given by the Department of Homeland Security due to the high risk, residential location of the facility.
The Water Authority did have a small number of existing analog cameras in place. However, the recording quality given by the existing Digital Video recorder (DVR) was poor and difficult to expand. In order to have a security system that would last at least ten years, and would work on an existing network infrastructure, the decision was made that the new security system had to be IP based.
The challenge was finding an IP security solution that could easily be deployed on an existing network over a wide geographical area, with no network bottlenecks. The solution also had to give smooth PTZ control, with high quality live and recorded video, from multiple viewing stations anywhere in the site. Finally the solution had to integrate with the existing analog cameras, keeping new camera spend to a minimum.
After a careful selection process, IndigoVision’s IP video security solution was chosen by the Water Authority due to meeting the stringent requirements, the extensive feature set offered and the lower total cost of ownership. The installation was carried out by IndigoVision’s Albuquerque based partner, Security USA.
In addition to IndigoVision IP Encoders being used to convert the existing analog cameras, IndigoVision IP Cameras were also deployed to monitor new areas within the site. Network Video Recorders (NVRs) were used to record video from both the IP cameras and encoders with IndigoVision’s Control Center software being used to view, control and playback video evidence.
“We were really impressed with the quality of both live and recorded video from the IndigoVision solution.” said David Montgomery, SCADA Manager for the Water Authority. “Not only can we now view the video in our main security control room, several additional members of the team can now access video, from anywhere in the site, on their laptops. With our previous system, this wasn’t possible.”
“Being able to deploy cameras easily in remote locations has given us better perimeter monitoring. “ David continued, “As a result, not only do we have a more secure site, we’ve reduced theft.”
David concluded, “We’ve been so happy with the IndigoVision solution, and the work carried out by Security USA, that we are planning on expanding the installation to include operations monitoring such as using analytics to help monitor the water reclamation site.”
