Integration Story: Laredo's Water Department Uses RFID To Maintain Law And Order

By Beth Bacheldor, RFID Journal, Inc.

The Jefferson Street Water Treatment Plant, operated by the city of Laredo, Texas, is employing a system that combines sensors, RFID seals and motion-detection video cameras to monitor and protect the facility and water from contamination.

The so-called early warning system (EWS) was created by Canberra, a provider of measurement solutions for safety and security solutions, SCI, an automated process controls and instrumentation contracting company, and Hi-G-Tek, a manufacturer of active RFID tags and seals. The system was designed for use in a variety of applications that require real-time monitoring and documentation of events in order to protect such areas as water-treatment facilities, oil refineries and nuclear plants. The EWS, for instance, can generate real-time, automated warnings of contamination and send them to the appropriate personnel so authorities can act quickly to contain pollutants and minimize potential risks.

Used with permission from RFID Journal, Inc.