Dual Mode Smart Water Supply Measurement and Monitoring System for Over Head Tanks (OHTS)

Abstract

The Dual Mode Smart Water Supply Measurement and Monitoring System is designed to efficiently track and manage water levels in Overhead Tanks (OHTs) using advanced sensor technology and automation. An ultrasonic sensor monitors the water level, while a water flow sensor accurately measures water consumption. The system is controlled by an Arduino microcontroller, with real-time data displayed on an LCD screen and transmitted to ThingSpeak via NodeMCU for remote monitoring. A GSM module sends alerts in abnormal conditions, ensuring timely intervention. Additionally, the system features an automated water supply mechanism where a certain amount of water is provided free of charge, after which a tiered billing system applies charges based on usage. The generated bill is then sent to users via SMS notifications. A relay-controlled water pump automatically activates when water levels drop below a set threshold, ensuring an uninterrupted water supply while minimizing wastage. By integrating IoT, automation, and real-time billing, this smart solution enhances water management efficiency, promotes fair usage, and ensures sustainability in water distribution.

Introduction

Water is a critical resource requiring efficient management for sustainability. Traditional water monitoring methods, such as manual inspections and basic float sensors, are inefficient, prone to errors, lack real-time monitoring, and do not support automation or remote access, leading to water wastage and inconsistent supply.

To address these issues, the Dual Mode Smart Water Supply Measurement and Monitoring System is proposed. This system integrates ultrasonic sensors for accurate water level measurement and water flow sensors for real-time consumption and leak detection. An Arduino microcontroller processes sensor data and controls the water pump via a relay module to automate water supply. The system uses the NodeMCU (ESP8266) to transmit data to the ThingSpeak cloud platform for remote monitoring, while a GSM module sends SMS alerts for abnormal conditions such as low water levels or leaks.

A unique feature of this system is its automated, tiered billing mechanism that allocates free water quotas and charges users for excess consumption, promoting fair usage and transparency through SMS billing notifications.

Compared to traditional systems, this smart system reduces manual intervention, prevents wastage, and enhances efficiency by leveraging IoT, automation, and real-time data analytics. The system is scalable for residential, industrial, and agricultural use. Future improvements could include AI analytics, water quality monitoring, and renewable energy integration.

The paper also reviews related IoT water monitoring technologies, highlighting their limitations such as lack of automation, alerts, or billing features, and concludes that the proposed system effectively overcomes these challenges.

Conclusion

Efficient water management is a crucial requirement in modern residential, industrial, and agricultural settings to ensure optimal resource utilization, minimize wastage, and promote sustainability. Traditional water monitoring and distribution systems rely on manual inspection and basic float sensors, which often result in inefficiencies, overflow, and unregulated consumption. To overcome these challenges, the Dual Mode Smart Water Supply Measurement and Monitoring System was developed, integrating IoT-based real-time monitoring, automated pump control, and a tiered billing mechanism. The proposed system effectively monitors water levels using an ultrasonic sensor and tracks consumption using a water flow sensor, ensuring precise data collection. The Arduino microcontroller processes the sensor data and automates the water pump operation via a relay module, preventing overflow and ensuring continuous supply. The integration of NodeMCU (ESP8266) enables remote monitoring through the ThingSpeak cloud, allowing users to access real-time water level data, consumption trends, and historical analytics from any location. Additionally, a GSM module provides instant SMS notifications for critical water levels, excessive consumption, and billing updates, ensuring proactive water management. A tiered billing system was successfully implemented, where users receive a predefined free water allowance, after which charges are automatically calculated based on usage. This approach promotes fair water distribution, discourages excessive consumption, and ensures cost-effective supply management. The automated billing system, combined with IoT-based remote access and alerts, enhances user convenience and operational transparency. The performance evaluation demonstrated that the system significantly reduces water wastage, optimizes electricity consumption, and improves operational efficiency. Comparative analysis between traditional and automated systems revealed a 30% reduction in water wastage, a 25% improvement in pump energy efficiency, and greater accuracy in water level and consumption tracking. User feedback confirmed the effectiveness of automated control, real-time monitoring, and smart billing in improving water management practices.

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Chiranjeevi C, Karthikeyan P, Udhaya Kumar S, Mrs. C. P. Gowthami. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.