Challenge 4: Data Driven Water Quality
H2O Heroes
Smart Water Monitoring System for Household Water Quality Management in Tema: An IoT Data-Driven Approach
“Once you carry your own water, you will learn the value of every drop
African Proverb
Background
The city of Accra experiences intermittent water supply, leading consumers to adopt coping strategies such as storage tanks, yard taps, public standposts, and truck delivery services. However, these methods result in a disconnect between the utility’s network and the point of use, affecting the quality of water consumed. Monitoring consumer perception of water quality from their perspective is crucial to identify gaps in access and water quality. Intermittent water supply also negatively impacts sanitation delivery, particularly in low-income communities. Limited data on sanitation services hinders effective planning for sanitation service delivery.
Recent discussions have emphasized the importance of service levels, prompting the Ghana Water Company Ltd. (GWCL) and other sector players to leverage technology for obtaining consumer feedback and improving service provision. Ensuring the quality of water at the point of use is vital for GWCL’s daily operations and aligning with their goal of becoming a world-class utility. However, there is a lack of data on water quality and sanitation, particularly at the household level.
Low-income communities are disproportionately affected by this challenge, often overlooked in large-scale interventions. Consequently, there is a risk of assuming that water quality in various homes is satisfactory, neglecting necessary interventions. The problem is prevalent throughout the city, especially in areas with limited water service infrastructure. Data gaps exist as current measurements primarily focus on the supply side, neglecting household-level information.
Addressing these issues is essential for improving water quality and sanitation in Accra. By bridging the data gap and prioritizing consumer feedback, the utility can enhance service delivery, particularly in low-income communities. This project aims to collect comprehensive data on water quality and sanitation at the household level, enabling targeted interventions and ultimately improving the overall water supply and sanitation situation in Accra.
The Challenge
The project aims to improve water quality and sanitation at the household level in Accra. The challenge lies in the discrepancy between reported water quality by the utility and the actual quality experienced by end users, particularly in areas with distant water sources or on-site storage facilities. The city’s diverse housing types and spatial variations contribute to uneven water supply infrastructure development, with well-planned communities having better access than informal settlements or suburban areas.
The project encourages student-led solutions that involve community participation in the water sector, providing quality water supply to low-income communities, addressing health impacts of household water quality, and utilizing LE34 software solutions. By addressing these aspects, the project aims to enhance community engagement, improve water access for underserved areas, tackle health risks associated with water quality, and optimize water management through innovative software solutions.
Existing Situation
The current situation of water issues in LUICs (Low Urban Income Communities) in Ghana presents several challenges. Access to clean and reliable water sources is a critical concern for many communities. Inadequate infrastructure, aging water systems, and limited resources pose obstacles to providing consistent water supply to residents.
Interventions
Designing of NSUPA device
NSUPA device is a tool designed to assess and monitor the quality of water by measuring various parameters and characteristics. Its primary function is to collect accurate and reliable data about the composition and condition of water samples. These devices utilize sensors and instruments to analyze different aspects of water, providing valuable information for environmental monitoring, drinking water safety, industrial processes, and research purposes.
Water quality sensing devices measure parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, turbidity, total dissolved solids, and specific contaminants or chemical substances. They may also incorporate biological sensors to detect harmful microorganisms. These device is stationary, and it includes sensors that come into contact with the water sample.
The collected data is displayed on an integrated screen or transmitted wirelessly to a connected device for further analysis and interpretation. By providing real-time and accurate information, water quality sensing devices play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of drinking water sources, monitoring environmental impact, and supporting decision-making processes for water resource management.
Overall, water quality sensing devices are essential tools for assessing water quality, enabling us to understand the purity, contamination levels, and suitability of water for various purposes. It supposed to contribute to safeguarding human health, preserving ecosystems, and facilitating informed decision-making in water-related fields.
How It Works
The water sensing system includes pH, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and temperature sensors. Data is collected and transmitted to a Microcontroller. A machine learning predictor would be incorporated in the future. The system is powered by a battery and displays test results on an LCD screen. An LED indicator shows water quality with blue, red, and purple colors. The ESP 8266 WIFI Module sends data to a cloud database accessible by GWCL for remote monitoring and analysis.
What’s Next?
Extensive development is needed to make NSUPA a practical solution. Partnering with a water sector expert will improve the solution. They can conduct pilot tests in any low income urban community to confirm NSUPA’s effectiveness.
NSUPA can be improved for accuracy in detecting and analyzing leaks through rigorous research and testing. This iterative process is crucial for reliability, and the accompanying software will also be enhanced.
The device for this project in Tema is NSUPA. It can be customized to suit the local water system’s unique needs by considering Tema’s requirements and characteristics. This will turn the rough design of NSUPA into a useful tool for water quality analysis, benefiting water management in Tema, and potentially becoming a model for other regions.
Outcomes and Future Prospects
The NSUPA water quality sensing device offers numerous benefits in monitoring and maintaining water quality. It detects contamination early on, provides real-time monitoring, improves water treatment processes, safeguards the environment, ensures public health and safety, aids regulatory compliance, supports data-driven decision making, and fosters research and education. This device significantly enhances the safety, sustainability, and management of water resources, benefiting both communities and ecosystems. Moreover, NSUPA directly contributes to achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to water quality. It ensures access to clean and safe water (SDG 6), prevents waterborne diseases and promotes good health (SDG 3), facilitates sustainable urban development (SDG 11), and promotes responsible consumption and production (SDG 12). By monitoring water quality and enabling informed actions, NSUPA plays a vital role in addressing water quality challenges and advancing the objectives of these SDGs.
Our Team
We are the H2O Heroes, a team of three students studying Architecture and Planning at KNUST. With diverse backgrounds, we are well-equipped to tackle complex water challenges. Committed to making a positive impact, we strive to find innovative solutions for water management and conservation.
Aisha Adams; [email protected] ; [email protected]
Seth Mensah Kuntor; [email protected]
Isaac Nunana Kodzo Gonyuie; [email protected] ; [email protected]
We are seeking support in the areas of finance, electrical engineering, and expertise in simulation and water technology. We welcome individuals who can contribute their knowledge and skills in these fields to assist our team.