Project proposal

Project Topic : Automated Water Quality monitoring system

Names of Researchers
Admire Nyanhongo R213398S

Ezekiel Makandwa R213405K

Kundai B Maponga R201871A

Ibo T Mushangwe R219448L

Rivaldo C Mrewa R213412M

Supervisor:Eng Gotora
1.1 Introduction
Communities and individuals depend on having access to clean, safe drinking water.
Regrettably, the University of Zimbabwe has been dealing with problems with water scarcity
and contamination, which have resulted in serious health problems such as recent epidemics
of diarrhoea brought on by drinking tainted water. This research project intends to create an
Automated Water Quality Monitoring system to address these issues and guarantee the
provision of safe and quality water throughout the campus.
Background
The management of water is a major global challenge, particularly in light of the world's
population growth and its effects on different industries. A sizable fraction of the world's
population lacks access to potable water, which increases the risk of several deadly diseases
brought on by contaminated water. Startlingly, studies carried out by the World Health
Organization (WHO) suggest that drinking contaminated water causes almost 5 million
deaths annually. Having access to clean water might save the lives of over 1.4 million
children. This research proposal's main goal is to establish an intelligent water quality
monitoring system based on the Internet of Things (IoT) platform in light of these difficulties.
Justification
An automated water quality monitoring system addresses the limitations of traditional
monitoring methods by providing real-time data, enhancing accuracy and reliability,
improving cost and time efficiency, enabling early warning systems, facilitating data-driven
decision making, and supporting long-term monitoring and trend analysis. Implementing such
a system is crucial for safeguarding water resources, protecting public health, and ensuring
sustainable water management practices.
1.2 Problem Statement
The problem is that traditional methods of water quality monitoring are often manual
,time consuming, and prone to human error .Monitoring water quality is crucial for ensuring
the safety and sustainability of water resources .However ,current practices rely on periodic
sampling and laboratory analysis ,which can result in delayed detection of water
contamination or environmental changes.
1.3 Aim
To design an automated water quality monitoring system for University of Zimbawe
institution that experienced an outbreak of diarrhoea is to establish a robust water
management framework that proactively monitors, detects, and responds to water quality
issues.
Objectives
1. Early Detection of Contamination of the water
2. Rapid Response and Intervention depending on what has been detected
3. Continuous Monitoring and Surveillance: The system should provide continuous
monitoring and surveillance of the water supply to ensure that any changes or fluctuations in
water quality are promptly identified.
4. Data Analysis and Trend Identification: The automated system should collect and store
historical data on water quality parameters .
1.7 METHODOLOGY
To design an automated water quality monitoring system, the following methodology is to be
followed.
a) Requirement Analysis: Identifying the specific water quality parameters .
b) System Design and Development
c) Implementation: Installations of the monitoring stations across the university campus,
d) Data Visualization and Remote Monitoring: Developing a web-based interface to visualize
the collected water quality data in real-time and enable remote monitoring from any
authorized device.
e) Testing and Validation: Conducting rigorous testing and validation of the system to ensure
its accuracy, reliability, and scalability under various operating conditions

1.4.1 LITERATURE REVIEW

Multiple water quality monitoring systems were developed by numerous engineers and
scientists in an effort to support the delivery of healthy and high-quality water. Water quality
had previously been evaluated using conventional techniques including manual sampling and
laboratory analysis. However, there were a number of serious disadvantages to these
techniques. To mitigate these shortcomings, sensor-based monitoring systems were created.
In 2010, Quio TieZhn designed an online method for monitoring water quality using GPRS
and GSM. The GPRS network was used to transmit the data, which made it possible to
remotely check the WQP. Web-based WSN for ZigBee and WiMax network-based water
pollution monitoring was delivered by Kamal Alameh in 2011. The proposed system
guarantees a safe supply of drinking water through the automated water quality monitoring
and control system, which is based on the Internet of Things. Through the use of Internet of
Things (IoT) technology. A cloud-based control unit receives the sensor data securely,
analyzes it, and, if dangerous water quality is found, initiates automated steps. In order to
keep polluted water from getting to the consumers, the system automatically stops the supply
valve. At the same time, it opens a different valve to send the water back to the treatment
plant for additional purification.

1.4.2 DATA COLLECTION

Sensors are placed in the water supply line to collect data. These sensors measure different
parameters such as pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, chlorine levels and conductivity. The
collected data is then transmitted to the control unit via IOT gateways.
1.4.3 DATA ANALYSIS
The process of analyzing data for water quality monitoring involves several steps, including
preprocessing the sensor data that has been collected, comparing it to predefined thresholds,
statistical analysis to detect trends, visualizing the results, and making decisions and
appropriate actions based on the analysis outcomes. By utilizing these techniques, the data
analysis process makes it possible to monitor, assess, and maintain water quality to guarantee
that it complies with desired standards.
1.4.4 COSTING

Item/component Price in USD Number of items Total in USD

Arduino Uno 10.00 1 10.00
Node MCU Module 8.00 1 8.00
Ph sensor 3.00 1 3.00
Turbidity sensor 3.00 1 3.00
Conductivity sensor 3.00 1 3.00
Temperature sensor 3.00 1 3.00
Power supply module 5.00 1 5.00
Miscellaneous components 0.20 20 4.00
(resistors, LEDs and capacitors)
GRAND TOTAL $39.00

1.5 Schedule of Activities

Gant Chart

1.6 REFERENCES
[1] Kamal Alameh , Steven Silva, Hoang N Ghia Nguyen, Valentina, Tiporlini, “Web based
Water Quality Monitoring with Sensor Network: Employing ZigBee and WiMAX
Technology”, 36th IEEE Conf. on Local Computer Networks.
[2] Quio Tie-Zhn, Song Le, “The Design of Multi-parameter On line Monitoring System of
Water Quality based on GPRS”, Report: Advanced Transducers and intelligent Control
System Lab, Taiyuan Technical University, Taiyuan, China, 2010
[3] WHO, Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality. 4th ed.; World Health Organisation:
Geneva, Switzerland, 2012.
[4]RandomForestWisc.Available http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~matthewb/pages/notes/pdf/ense
mbles/Rand omForests.pdf