Water and wastewater systems are among the most critical yet often overlooked pieces of infrastructure in small communities. Keeping them running safely requires specialized expertise, reliable technology, and partners who understand the realities of operating treatment plants with limited resources.
Renegade Solutions was founded to provide exactly that. Established and based in Reading, Pennsylvania, the woman-owned company has delivered practical, cost-effective automation and control system solutions tailored for water and wastewater facilities since 2022. Their clients — often small towns and municipal plants — depend on them for custom SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems, PLC (programming logic controllers) programming, remote monitoring tools, and hands-on technical support.
That hands-on approach is why Renegade Solutions was recognized as a 2025 Honoree in the Champions of Adaptability category of the CO— 100 awards program. By staying nimble and deeply connected to the field, Renegade Solutions has carved out a trusted role in an industry dominated by larger firms.
A wastewater solution company built by experienced operators
Unlike many technology companies in the infrastructure space, Renegade Solutions was founded by people who have actually operated treatment plants themselves. That experience shapes everything the company builds.
“Our product isn’t something you pull off a shelf,” said Heather Heltzinger, Owner of Renegade Solutions. “It’s custom-designed automation and programming that helps small towns run their treatment plants safely, efficiently, and sustainably.”
Since the team understands the pressures operators face regularly, they design systems that prioritize usability and reliability. Rather than pushing complex, one-size-fits-all solutions, the company builds tools that integrate with existing infrastructure and make plant operations easier.
“We’re licensed operators ourselves, not just engineers,” Heltzinger explained. “We understand the process because we’ve lived it.”
That operator-first mindset has made Renegade Solutions a trusted partner for municipalities and engineering firms that need practical automation solutions delivered quickly and reliably.
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Adapting and evolving based on market needs
Renegade Solutions didn’t originally plan to become a full-service control system integration company, but early client needs quickly pushed for evolution.
“We didn’t set out to become a full-service integration firm, but we pivoted because the market demanded it,” Heltzinger said.
Initially focused on design and consulting, the company realized that municipalities needed more than technical plans. They needed partners who could design, build, program, install, and troubleshoot systems themselves, especially when larger firms were unwilling to take on smaller projects.
Renegade expanded its services to include panel building, programming, field installation, and remote support, effectively becoming a one-stop partner for plant automation. That shift allowed the company to control project quality and timelines while offering clients the continuity and accountability they were struggling to find.
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Being small means we have to be nimble — and that’s our competitive edge.Heather Heltzinger, Owner of Renegade Solutions
Solving problems others won’t
Adaptability is most visible when things go wrong, and in infrastructure projects, they often do. Heltzinger recalled one municipal project where outdated equipment, undocumented programming, and multiple contractors created a chaotic situation that threatened operations.
“Instead of walking away, we rebuilt the programming from scratch, coordinated across five companies, and got the plant online without missing compliance deadlines,” she said.
Moments like that have shaped the company’s approach to project management and documentation, ensuring future jobs run more smoothly even when starting conditions aren’t ideal.
The team has also adapted to supply chain disruptions and vendor delays by fabricating components in-house and even using 3D printing to create temporary solutions when parts aren’t available.
“Being small means we have to be nimble — and that’s our competitive edge,” Heltzinger said.
Supporting the next generation of wastewater professionals
Beyond automation projects, Renegade Solutions is investing in the future workforce in the wastewater industry. The company created Randy.AI, a digital platform that helps operators study for certifications and troubleshoot real plant issues. The tool expands the company’s impact beyond individual projects by helping train and support the next generation of plant operators.
Heltzinger sees the initiative as part of a larger mission to strengthen the industry.
“Our goal is to support water and wastewater systems with practical, sustainable, and operator-focused solutions,” she said.
As a CO—100 Champions of Adaptability Honoree, Renegade Solutions demonstrates how a small, specialized company can thrive by listening to its customers and evolving quickly when needs change. By combining expertise with field-tested insight, the company is helping communities modernize their infrastructure and keep essential systems running smoothly for the future.
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