In response to the acute water crisis plaguing Bengaluru, the city's water management body has introduced advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to monitor and manage borewells effectively.

The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) demonstrated the use of AI and IoT at a borewell located in the Benson Town area of Central Bengaluru, according to a report by Moneycontrol. This initiative follows the launch of the 'Green Star Challenge' program, aimed at encouraging water conservation among hotels and restaurants in the city.

IoT sensors installed in borewells analyse flow patterns and transmit data to the cloud for assessment. This data informs the regulation of motor operations, ensuring optimal usage. Automatic signals prompt shutdowns when water levels decrease, minimising the need for manual intervention.

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“The IoT sensors installed will analyse flow patterns, sending data to the cloud for assessment. Based on this, the system will regulate motor operation, ensuring optimal usage. When water levels decrease, automatic signals will prompt shutdowns, minimising manual intervention,” V Ram Prasath Manohar, the chairman of the BWSSB told Moneycontrol.

Manohar said that these measures aim to prevent unscientific borewell exploitation, ensuring sustainability. Fixed pumping levels mitigate the risk of overuse, while centralised monitoring streamlines operations and reduces the chances of borewell blockages caused by soil ingress.

"This will curb unscientific borewell exploitation, ensuring sustainability. Fixed pumping levels will prevent overuse, while central monitoring will streamline operations. The excessive extraction risks drawing soil into the borewells also causing blockages," He said.

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The BWSSB successfully piloted this technology in five borewells and plans to extend its implementation to remaining borewells across the city. Additionally, the civic agency has implemented various measures to monitor water usage in Bengaluru, including mandating the use of tap aerators and placing restrictions on water usage for certain activities such as pool and rain dances during festivals like Holi.

The city of Bengaluru, along with the rest of Karnataka, is grappling with a severe water shortage, with approximately 6,900 borewells having dried up, as informed earlier by the BWSSB.