Return to overview

Smart Water With IoT Technology

How The Internet of Things Can Enable Smart Water Saving Solutions

California is a state that is very susceptible to drought. Below-average rainfall can put a strain on the state’s water supplies. Because of this risk, the state is scrambling for new ways to conserve water. Traditional methods of conservation such as mandatory rationing and citing violators can only go so far in the state’s conservation efforts. Installing smart water meters in homes and businesses, integrating smart sensors in water mains and pipes, as well as the implementation of smart irrigation systems leveraging the Internet of Things technology can allow a new frontier to be opened in water conservation. Smart water solutions are a key feature of smart cities.

Smart Water Meters: Most cities across the world are still using analog meters to measure water usage in homes and businesses. Although these meters have been in use for long periods of time, these meters are unable to report water usage to the water authorities or to the owners of the residence or business as they lack connectivity. When owners want to check their water usage, they have to go and read the meters themselves. Similarly, the water authorities have to go out to the home or business and read the meter at the end of the billing cycle. Connected smart meters leveraging IoT technology can not only enable owners to view their water usage more easily, but smart meters can also send immediate alerts to home or business owners if they are using too much water. Owners of homes and businesses will no longer have to wait for the end of the billing cycle to be notified. Similarly, smart meters will also be able to notify the water authorities immediately if the meter detects that an owner is wasting water. This will allow the water authorities to intervene immediately when they are notified of a violator.

Smart Water Sensors: In almost every building, a maze of pipes exist in them that are hidden from view. These pipes carry freshwater into the building and take the waste out. As these pipes are hidden from view, it is often difficult to detect leaks and often when a leak is detected, the pipe has probably already been leaking for some time. Smart connected sensors that are integrated into the maze of pipes in almost every building can enable immediate detection of leaks that are unseen to the human eye. If a sensor detects water flowage when no water-using appliances are running, the sensor can then send an alert to the owner of the building. The owner can then make the necessary repairs. Further, the owner will be able to pinpoint the exact location of the leak based on the sensor’s location.

Smart Irrigation Systems: Irrigation of crops and ornamental plants contributes to over 80% of all water usage in California. As irrigation is the single largest use of water in California, a massive push needs to be made to reduce that percentage while maintaining current production levels. Although the state has taken steps to reduce water used by irrigation, smart irrigation systems leveraging IoT technology can enable the state to conservation to reach a new level. Smart connected sensors that are connected to smart sprinklers leveraging IoT technology will enable just the right amount of water needed for plants to flourish. The smart sensors are embedded in the soil that measures the moisture levels. The sensors then relay this information to the smart sprinkler system and the sprinklers can then add just the right amount of water.

Conclusion: Traditional methods of conservation have been implemented to conserve water but smart devices that are leveraging IoT technology is the answer to taking water conservation to a new level. IoT technology will enable smart water meters, sensors, and irrigation systems to be deployed in homes and businesses with ease. As California’s water supplies dwindle, IoT technology can help conserve what is left.