Conserving water is one of the top concerns at a time when environmental conditions are deteriorating at an alarming rate. Due to the widening gap between the shrinking water availability due to climate change and the increase in population growth, water conservation is becoming increasingly necessary. The depletion of freshwater resources in many areas of the world and shifts in water availability due to climate change have created a need for innovation in water collection and conservation. Some areas will experience drought and depleted water resources and be subject to mandatory conservation measures, such as those imposed in California in 2015 during a multi-year drought. Other areas will experience increased rainfall and with it the need to capture and recycle rainwater to manage freshwater resources. IoT technologies offer opportunities to help cities use and conserve water more efficiently and effectively.
Sensors measure water levels in reservoirs and tanks
IoT can be used to ensure better management and conservation of water resources. Integrating sensors and equipment specifically designed to monitor the water level present can be integrated into reservoirs and overhead water tanks. Using these sensors, the water levels in reservoirs and tanks can be sent to cloud platforms at regular intervals and used to calculate and display the daily use of water. The process of measuring the water levels in reservoirs, analyzing this data and making this visible can help taking better decisions about the need for conservation of water.
Insight into the water system
An IoT platform provides real-time insight into the water system and makes it possible to make smart decisions without delays. Problems can be detected earlier and failures predicted so that no damage is caused. If the water system needs maintenance, the IoT sensors inform when maintenance is due. Managing water more efficiently and thereby reducing water consumption also will require an alternative to conventional water meters that measure the quantity and quality of water.
As we continue to experience the effects of a dry climate on a growing population and increased water consumption, IoT helps conserve, protect, monitor, and intelligently manage one of our most valuable resources.
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