30/05/2023 – SIGMA Foundation is a pioneer in innovative application of Information & Communication Technology for monitoring various programmes and processes, including those for the water supply sector. It has developed a Digital Water Supply Monitoring System (DWSMS) for (i) monitoring the water supply service parameters like (i) pressure of water, (ii) residual chlorine level, (iii) pH, (iv) TDS, (v) turbidity and (vi) iron present in the supplied water. The parameters are measured by appropriate sensors and the data is transmitted by the IOTs fitted at the origin of water supply (pump house) and the consumer point. The data is automatically captured and transmitted twice every day (morning and afternoon after onset of the supply) into a web-based system for processing and displaying the result in a dashboard. One can easily visualize the service quality and whether that meets the norm. A snapshot of the dashboard is shown below.
This has been implemented as a pilot in Joypur Gram Panchayat of Amta II block of Howrah district with support from UNICEF and Public Health Engineering Department (PHED). The officials concerned can view the dashboard and take corrective measures, in case of any shortfall in service quality.
There is also a grievance redressal App which can be installed in the Android run mobile phone of any consumer to register complaint. A consumer database has been created in the system to enable them to register complaint after logging into the system. The system tracks progress of disposal of the complaints and the consumer is also kept updated of the progress.
Another very important feature of the App is that the registered consumers can share any observation on pipe leakage/ pipe burst or water wastage from the pipeline/valves etc. They have to take a geo- tagged photo and share the same through the App for displaying the same in the dashboard. This will be of immense help to the authority in charge of O&M to immediately know the problem for taking appropriate measure. This facility provides a unique opportunity to strengthen community watch on the pipeline which leads to better service quality and prevention of waste of water.
The system is going to be hosted in PHED server for its better use by the PHED.