As the water crisis escalates in the city, the quest for innovative approaches to curtail water consumption becomes increasingly imperative.
In response to this urgent need, there’s a growing consensus that digitizing water management is not just a luxury but a necessity. Just as our daily gadgets and homes have become ‘smart’, it’s time for our water systems to follow suit. Emerging studies advocate for leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, data analytics, and artificial intelligence to revolutionize water management.
These technologies offer the promise of providing real-time, cost-effective data that can be seamlessly shared across departments, facilitating informed policy-making and coordinated efforts for efficient water governance. At the grassroots level, the installation of smart meters can enable precise measurement of water demand and supply, while sensors integrated into pipelines can swiftly pinpoint areas plagued by water leaks.
Furthermore, machine learning algorithms can forecast water requirements, decipher consumption patterns, and preemptively mitigate seasonal risks, thereby fostering proactive solutions. However, while data on water resources abounds, the challenge lies in transforming raw data into actionable insights.
In a pioneering research endeavor titled ‘Using Technology to Mitigate Water Crisis in Bangalore’, scholars at the Institute of Management, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), outlined strategies to avert a ‘Zero Water Day’ crisis anticipated in 2019.
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Curbing Leakage
Their findings underscored the transformative potential of technology in prolonging the lifespan of water assets, curbing leakage, and reducing costs and losses.
This paradigm shift towards digital water management not only holds the key to addressing Bengaluru’s water woes but also heralds a more sustainable and resilient future for urban water systems.
