Development of Innovative Secured Remote Sensor Water Quality Monitoring & Management System: Case of Pangani Water Basin

Abstract

Wireless sensor networks (WSN), when applied to the field of water quality monitoring and management, has the potential to bring numerous benefits as compared to traditional methods since it is accurate, reliable in remote areas and in the tough condition such as during rainy seasons, and less costly. With the ever-growing application of Internet of Things (IoT) and technology in general, sensor devices have become less expensive and widely used in many applications that require remote monitoring. In this work, we present an innovative and secure water monitoring and management system using remote sensor prototype, which has been developed to monitor physiochemical parameters including pH, Turbidity, Temperature, and Dissolved Oxygen. Qualitative research methods were used for gathering system requirements through questionnaires and interviews conducted in Pangani water basin authority, in the United Republic of Tanzania. Documents were also reviewed to provide secondary knowledge. Furthermore, the system was developed using Dynamic System Development Methodology (DSDM). Firstly, the proposed system prototype is able to provide real-time measurements accurately. Secondly, the proposed system uses Advanced Encryption Standards to provide a secure transmission and storage of data transmitted from remote sensor nodes to a central database system. Thirdly, the web application was developed for data visualization using tabular and graphical formats. Lastly, the system prototype provides decisions support on quality of water present in Pangani river basin by evaluating sensor measurements and sends SMS alerts once the measured value is above the recommended standard values.