In the heart of India’s Chhattisgarh state, researchers at the National Institute of Technology Raipur are making waves in the world of water resource management. Led by Sajad Ali Ansari, a team of engineers has been delving into the transformative potential of the Internet of Things (IoT) in water resources engineering (WRE). Their work, recently published in the journal “Discover Internet of Things” (translated from its original title “Открыть Интернет вещей”), offers a comprehensive review of how IoT, combined with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques, is revolutionizing the way we monitor and manage our most precious natural resource: water.
The team’s research, which spans over two decades of studies from 1998 to 2024, reveals a compelling narrative of technological advancement. “The ability to collect and monitor real-time data has become essential for timely and informed decision-making in water resource management,” Ansari explains. This is where IoT steps in, offering a suite of tools and technologies that are reshaping the landscape of WRE.
The review, which analyzed 166 research papers, highlights several key areas where IoT is making a significant impact. Water quality monitoring emerges as the most prominent application, with pH and turbidity sensors playing a crucial role. “pH sensors were used in 47% of the cases, and turbidity sensors in 44%,” Ansari notes, underscoring the importance of these tools in ensuring water safety and quality.
Smart irrigation systems also feature prominently in the review, showcasing how IoT can optimize water usage in agriculture. Groundwater quality and level assessment, domestic and industrial wastewater monitoring, and urban and flash flood monitoring are other areas where IoT technologies are proving invaluable.
The research also sheds light on the communication protocols that facilitate these advancements. LoRaWAN, a low-power wide-area network protocol, appeared in 36% of the studies, highlighting its importance in enabling long-range, low-power communication for IoT devices.
The commercial implications of these findings are substantial, particularly for the energy sector. Efficient water management is crucial for energy production, from hydroelectric power to cooling systems in thermal power plants. By leveraging IoT technologies, energy companies can optimize water usage, reduce costs, and enhance sustainability.
Looking ahead, the review identifies several future directions for IoT in WRE. These include the integration of more advanced AI and ML algorithms, the development of more sophisticated sensors, and the expansion of IoT networks to cover larger and more diverse areas.
As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and water scarcity, the work of Ansari and his team offers a beacon of hope. Their research not only highlights the current state of IoT in water resource management but also paves the way for future innovations that could transform the way we interact with and manage our water resources.
In the words of Ansari, “The potential of IoT in water resource engineering is vast and largely untapped. As we continue to explore and develop these technologies, we can look forward to a future where water management is more efficient, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of our communities and our planet.”