A clean, consistent water supply is essential for every community, but scarcity remains an issue for millions of people worldwide. One technology that could be revolutionary in helping communities manage their water is the Internet of Things (IoT). Here’s how IoT is reshaping our approach to water management and security.
Smart Water Management
IoT devices are often referred to as “smart” for their self-monitoring capabilities. An automated water management system would make purification and distribution more efficient. We’ve already seen some real-world applications of IoT optimizing water management:
1. Water Distribution Sensors
Sensors within water management systems can detect all kinds of deficiencies, including leaks, low water pressure, pH levels and overall quality. Many federal agencies have adopted the technology to improve their local water supplies. Dam management can also take a huge step forward, as the sensors can send flooding alerts when they notice a potential breach.
IoT sensors can make water management faster and more intelligent. Look for them to gain more influence in the public and private water management sectors in the coming years.
2. Smart Water Meters
Water meters with IoT work similarly to traditional models. Still, they connect to an online network that gives the utility manager and the consumer real-time data about water quality and usage. Residential and commercial users can see how much water they use for specific tasks and make adjustments accordingly.
Urban centers would especially benefit from smart water meters because they often have the most contaminated water. Authorities in these areas can use IoT to locate the sources of contamination and clean up the water supply. It can also aid in efforts to reduce wastewater pollution and protect the environment.
3. Smart Irrigation Systems
Agriculture consumes about 70% of the world’s freshwater, so IoT can make a huge splash with smart irrigation systems. They help farmers track and optimize their water usage, reducing waste and giving their crops the ideal amount of water. They can also monitor the soil moisture and local weather conditions, allowing farmers to address problems before they arise.
Smart irrigation systems can also be used in yards, parks, gardens and other similar areas. Establishing optimal treatment methods and filtering systems in places that require frequent watering is crucial for healthy crop and plant life. Cartagena in Colombia is one noteworthy example of a city successfully implementing smart irrigation features around town.
4. Heightened Security
The data gathered from these management tools allows people to implement more effective security measures. Rather than doing damage control, they can patch up minor leaks, remove contaminants and purify the water before the problem spreads through the entire system. However, making security more high-tech also has some drawbacks.
Potential Drawbacks
The main issue with bringing IoT devices into the water management industry is the increased risk of cyberattacks. Hacking becomes more of a concern as more technology is integrated into utility systems.
Private information about people’s water consumption can fall into the wrong hands. Even worse, a capable cybercriminal can damage or disable the technology, exposing a town’s water supply to leaks and contaminations.
Public and private water management groups that want to take advantage of IoT must devote more resources to cybersecurity tools and training.
The price tag is another potential drawback of using IoT in water management. The costs of implementing IoT might be affordable for big companies and federal agencies, but they’re still expensive on a one-building scale. A larger number of people need to buy into IoT for the investment to pay off.
However, the more tools you want to add, the more downtime is required to complete the project. A community could lose its water supply for a short period. Not everyone is willing to make that sacrifice.
IoT Has Great Potential
The IoT can connect and optimize water management systems, but it also carries a degree of risk. The costs and security hazards could dissuade some organizations from using the technology. IoT needs a complete buy-in from communities to change water management for the better.
