Feasibility study on smart water monitoring system in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram: One of the ideas that the Corporation and the smart city consultants are exploring for the pan-city proposal is a smart water monitoring system which can accurately locate water leakages. The smart city team is studying how feasible it is. As Thiruvananthapuram would be the first city to make a smart city proposal for a leakage monitoring system, the consultants do not have a model to compare. Many other cities have implemented smart water meters, but not a leakage monitoring system.

Interestingly, there is a model to compare, right here. Kerala Water Authority had fitted a Supervisory Control and Data Analysis (SCADA) system in the pumping mains stretching from Aruvikkara to Vellayambalam. The system can monitor water level and pressure. Should there be a drop in pressure, the system can even close valves automatically. However, the SCADA system here does not have this feature, as KWA officials say it was not fully implemented. Fitted around five years ago, it can give a reading of pressure drops and water levels.

The cost of installing such a system in the distribution network is very high, according to KWA officials. A city which has managed to fit it in its distribution system is Bengaluru. Bangalore Water Supply Board has a project to curb water leakage using SCADA system, but it costs Rs 700 crore. Another way to reduce leakages is to replace decades’ old primo pipes. Feeder lines are being replaced as and when funds are available. Cast iron pipes were laid in Karamana and Kowdiar stretches, according to KWA officials.