Designing a smart Internet of Things solution for point of use water filtration management system in residential, commercial and public settings

• Main Authors: LIM, Tristan, TAN, Hwee-Pink, ONG, Chin Sin, BELANI, Rahul, AGRAWAL, Siddhant S. K.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2020
• Subjects: point-of-use water filtration; smart IoT; analytics; water quality; management system; MITB student; Data Science; Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computing; Software Engineering
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sis_research/5989; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/sis_research/article/6992/viewcontent/TristanLim_SmartIoT_2020_av.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

The use of water filtration Point-of-Use (POU) systems are extensive, ranging from water dispensers in public estates, to household POU water systems. Manufacturers typically recommend filtration cartridges to be changed (i) after their useful life, or (ii) when the water flow volume have exceeded certain capacity, whichever is earlier. However, filtration mechanisms are typically not changed with sufficient regularity. Overused filters can result in negative health effects, over and above the deterioration and loss of filtration benefits of the POU water system. Presently most existing water purification systems do not have smart connected Internet of Things (IoT) means of informing owners and suppliers the decline in water quality and the timely change in filters. Results of the proof-of-concept (POC) study comprises smart connected IoT sensors with integrated analytical capabilities, which will be useful to improve consumption management decisions for household consumers, building and estate managers, and government agencies managing public POU water dispenser systems. Considerations need to be given to “minimal-owner-effort” system architecture, real-time detection of sensor component failures and user-friendly issues alert dashboard, and the degree and frequency at which system monitoring and recovery would take place, among others. The modularization scalability and customizability of the solution to include more resource optimization and analytical capabilities across POU water filtration systems, will benefit POU water system owners, suppliers and manufacturers.