How do you modernize critical water infrastructure while keeping systems secure and maintainable? This use case from the Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland shows how standardizing control systems with PLCnext Technology can simplify operations, improve cybersecurity, and prepare installations for future challenges.

Why Water Management Needs Modern Automation

Water management is a critical task, especially in regions where land lies below sea level. Reliable control systems are essential to ensure safe water levels, prevent flooding, and maintain water quality. At the same time, operators face growing cybersecurity requirements and increasing system complexity.

The Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland, a Dutch water authority, addressed these challenges by modernizing its control infrastructure. By adopting PLCnext Technology as a standardized platform, the organization created a more secure, flexible, and future-ready automation environment.

Customer Profile: Managing a Complex Water System

The Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland is responsible for water management across an area of approximately 1,100 km² in the Netherlands. Its operational landscape includes:

• Four large pumping stations
• Hundreds of smaller pumps, weirs, and inlets
• A network that ensures stable water levels and clean water across urban and rural areas

Maintaining these assets is essential to ensure uninterrupted operation. The internal process automation team handles system reliability, maintenance, and continuous improvements a while also preparing infrastructure for future requirements.

The Challenge: Complexity and Cybersecurity Risks

Over time, Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland’s infrastructure evolved through the merger of multiple water authorities. This resulted in a mix of different PLC brands and generations operating side by side.

This situation led to several challenges:

• High maintenance complexity: Different systems required specific expertise and tools
• Limited scalability: Integrating new functionalities into legacy systems was difficult
• Dependence on legacy knowledge: Older platforms increased reliance on specialized skills
• Growing cybersecurity demands: Critical infrastructure must meet stricter security standards

Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland needed a solution that would unify its systems while addressing modern cybersecurity requirements and remain adaptable for future developments.

The Solution: Standardization with PLCnext Technology

After evaluating available options, Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland selected PLCnext Technology as the new standard for controlling its pumping stations and water management systems.

The decision was driven by two key factors:

• Flexibility: The open platform supports modern development approaches and easy integration of new technologies
• Cybersecurity readiness: PLCnext Technology aligns with IEC 62443 requirements, supporting secure operation in critical environments

Step-by-Step Modernization

Rather than replacing everything at once, the water authority adopted a gradual migration strategy:

• Existing systems are upgraded step by step
• New installations are built directly on PLCnext Technology
• A consistent control architecture is established across all assets

This phased approach minimizes operational risks while steadily improving system performance and maintainability.

Practical Implementation: Smarter Maintenance with OPC UA

One concrete example of how PLCnext Technology is used in practice is the implementation of an OPC UA client directly on the PLCnext Control.

What does this enable?

• Maintenance technicians can access real-time status and diagnostic data locally
• No additional hardware, such as external PCs, is required
• Troubleshooting becomes faster and more efficient

Key Benefits for the Customer

By standardizing on PLCnext Technology, hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland has taken a clear step in improving cybersecurity, consistency, and maintainability of its control systems.

Enhanced Cybersecurity

• Systems are aligned with current security standards
• Future regulatory requirements can be addressed more easily

Operational Consistency

• A unified platform reduces complexity across installations
• Maintenance processes become more efficient

Future-Proof Architecture

• Open interfaces enable integration of new technologies
• The platform supports continuous innovation without vendor lock-in

Improved Reliability

• Stable and secure control systems ensure uninterrupted operation of critical infrastructure

A Future-Ready Approach to Water Control

The transition to PLCnext Technology marks a significant step forward for the Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland. By combining standardization with modern cybersecurity capabilities, the organization has created a robust and scalable automation foundation.

For engineers and operators working with critical infrastructure, this use case highlights an important takeaway: modern automation platforms are not just about control, they enable secure, flexible, and efficient system management over the long term.