Frequently Asked Questions

LIST OF FAQs:   

1. Why was WITS formed ?
2. As a UK Water Co I'm interested in becoming a WITS member is this possible what will be the benefits to my organisation - what do I need to do next?
3. I've got an idea for a project that I'd like to present to WITS for support - how do I proceed?
4. My company is interested in developing low end RTU's using the WITS DNP3 protocol. How do we ensure we are kept fully informed of the protocol development so we can start building it into our products as soon as possible? We would also be interested in providing support for the protocol development - is this possible? If so what do we need to do?
5. I'm an equipment supplier and interested in contributing to the development of the Telemetry Std Protocol. Is it possible for me to join and subscribe to WITS and if so what opportunity will I have to influence the form in which the Standard takes?
6. How do I find out whom to contact about issues relating to your protocol project?
7. Can I get on a regular mailing list to be kept up to date with the progress of WITS?
8. Once the Telemetry Protocol Standard is issued for implementation will it be available to all companies or just the investing companies?
9. As the DNP3 standard is open how will security be assured?
10. Will the standard be available for all of the communication media currently in use or planned?
11. What standard protocols did you look at?
12. What work needs to be done with DNP3 to make it suitable for use across the water industry as a standard protocol?
13. Why are consultants used?

Q: Why was WITS formed ?

A: Most modern businesses have a drive to obtain real time data for monitoring performance thus identifying areas where efficiencies can be made and where investment is required. The Water industry is no different but most assets are remote so regional Telemetry systems have developed to enable monitoring of these assets. Due to the size and complexity of these systems they have historically been delivered as specialist bespoke systems. However as technology has advanced the bespoke systems have become restrictive and costly - particularly in enabling monitoring of sewer and water distribution networks. WITS was formed to act on behalf of the UK water industry to develop Telemetry such that there is more flexibility and choice built around open standards.

Q: As a UK Water Co I'm interested in becoming a WITS member is this possible what will be the benefits to my organisation - what do I need to do next?

A: As a UK Water Co you can become a WITS member. There are many benefits to your organisation from the development and implementation of telemetry standards a key benefit as a member will be that you can have influence over these standards particularly where they relate you your individual company. A member of the WITS management team will be in touch with you shortly to take you through he membership process.

Q: I've got an idea for a project that I'd like to present to WITS for support - how do I proceed?

A: Please submit any ideas or feedback to: admin@ukwits.org - Don't forget we are here to represent the whole UK water industry so your comments feedback or ideas help us all to move forward and helps the WITS management group to improve it's service to the industry.

Q: My company are interested in developing low end RTU's using the WITS DNP3 protocol. How do we ensure we are kept fully informed of the protocol development so we can start building it into our products as soon as possible? We would also be interested in providing support for the protocol development - is this possible? If so what do we need to do?

A: You can keep up to date with progress of the WITS Telemetry Protocol Standard by regularly visiting this web site which is updated monthly; in addition you will receive regular new bulletins directly from the WITS management group. With regards to your offer of support for the protocol development your details will be added to the vendor selection process for the Detailed Design stage of the protocol development project a member of the project team will be in touch again shortly to explain this process in more detail.

Q: I'm an equipment supplier and interested in contributing to the development of the Telemetry Std Protocol. Is it possible for me to join and subscribe to WITS and if so what opportunity will I have to influence the form in which the Standard takes?

A: The WITS Telemetry Protocol project is currently funded by UK Water Management Organisations only. This approach is not intended to preclude any supplier from contributing to the development of a standard but to ensure that the required functionality of the end users was considered and clearly defined without any particular supplier influence. As this project develops supplier involvement will be encouraged to ensure that all have an opportunity to contribute and shape the appropriate solutions. If you are interested in being actively involved in the product development implementation and or testing phase then please register this via the ‘FEEDBACK’ facility below.

Q: Who can I ask about issues relating to your protocol project?

A: Send an email by clicking on "Contact us" at the foot of the page and your enquiry will be directed to the WITS Management team who will contact you.

Q: Once the Telemetry Protocol Standard is issued for implementation will it be available to all companies or just the investing companies?

A: The issued standard will form part of the DNP3 standard set as an open standard it will be therefore available to all companies.

Q: As the DNP3 standard is open how will security be assured?

A: The protocol is multi-layered and has facilities for incorporating security measures; this issue is being addressed in the design stage.

Q: Will the standard be available for all of the communication media currently in use or planned?

A: This issue will be addressed in the design phase from input from the investing companies the intention is to cover all known media in common use.

Q: What standard protocols did you look at?

A: Within the feasibility study we started with a list of about 20 standard protocols and eliminated some early which clearly would not be suitable. We analysed and compared in more detail a shortlist of five which were.... UCA2 IEC61850 IEC60870 Modbus and DNP3. The study revealed that DNP3 was the most suitable solution. Please see the feasibility study report for further details.

Q: Why are consultants used

A: The WITS management group has been formed successfully to act on behalf of the UK water industry and WITS management group members are funded by their own companies to perform this role. However there is a limit to this commitment so in order to deliver projects on behalf of the industry it is necessary to use additional resources. For the first project the Telemetry protocol standard a consortium of three consultants have been used which comprises Grontmij Parsons Brinckerhoff and Severn Trent. They are all familiar with the UK water industry and have proven to work well together for the feasibility study.