According to the study of the World Health Organization, almost 97mn Indian population does not have access to safe and potable water. As a growing nation, water consumption in India is high with limited resources to cater the needs. It is very important to understand the situation and to overcome it.
The population is increasing at an alarming rate and consumption of water increases manifolds. Traditional practices for irrigation, Inefficient ways for agricultural practices, Untreated wastewater and sewage drains into traditional water sources, release of toxic and chemical waste from factories, overconsumption of ground water, are few causes that leads to water crises. Inefficient water management and distribution system results in water shortage. Cities are also responsible for the ground water loss due to increased concretization.
Other than the traditional method of water conservation it is time to opt for smart ways to save water. Smart water management refers to the regular availability of this valuable resource and how to distribute it in an effective manner. Smart water management is a system about the pressure, flow and distribution of water in the city. There are many ways for smart water management which are given below.
Analytics: Data analytics is an inexpensive way of smart water management strategies. This would help in predicting that when and how much water is being used in particular location. It also helps in predicting water availability and forecasting to make sure the sufficient supply.
Water Infrastructure management: WIM i.e. Geospatial based water infrastructure management helps in providing the details of distribution system of municipal and wastewater. It helps in engineering analysis of managing, mapping and maintaining the records.
Ghost pipe detection system: This helps in detecting the ghost pipes to keep water save from water theft with the help of the advanced technology and sensors.
Leakage sensors: These sensors helping detecting the leakages. Not only does it detect the leakage, it also helps in raising the alarm to switch off the excess water flow.
Water Pressure Optimiser: It makes sure that right pump configuration runs right at a time and at right efficiency.
Real time Hydraulic water distribution tools: It informs about the issues regarding quality, volume or pressure so that action can be taken by the operator at right time.
Online Hydrology maps: This would help in determining the level of the underground water and also in determining the water capacity in mineral deposits and the interrelation between terrain and underground water. And also helps in locating the right location for underground water.
Smart Meters: It helps in providing the real-time information and let the customers monitor their water consumption and then assists in water management. It provides the detailed information about how much, when and where water is being used.
Water quality meters: It would help in accessing the quality of water and helps in taking the corrective decision at right time when there is degradation in water quality
Though the government has taken many steps to regularize and ensure the optimum utilization of the water sources. It is suggested that every citizen should take steps by themselves to use this limited resource wisely.