‘Dhaara Smart Flowmeter’-for

Efficient Water Resource Management

Dr. Nimish Kapoor

Water resource management is critical amidst global environmental challenges. With growing populations, expanding industries, and accelerating climate change, our finite water resources are under increasing pressure. Efficient and sustainable management is essential for environmental health, economic stability, and community well-being. Effective strategies are needed to mitigate droughts, floods, secure clean drinking water, and support agriculture, shaping the resilience of ecosystems and societies.

Governments are tightening regulations on water usage due to worsening pollution and depletion. In 2020, the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) in India imposed tariffs and set limits on commercial groundwater abstraction, mandating annual water audits and usage reductions.

To address these challenges, Kritsnam Technologies developed the ‘Dhaara Smart Flowmeter’, a battery-powered, ultrasonic flowmeter for real-time water distribution monitoring in drinking water supply, groundwater extraction, industrial use, and precision irrigation. Powered by IoT and AI, it helps users budget and reduce water wastage by understanding usage patterns and inefficiencies.

The Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India, funded Kritsnam Technologies with Rs 3.29 crores to develop this innovative technology. The start-up's network covers over 6,000 borewells with over 15 million live data points, providing insights into water flow patterns, borewell health, and sustainability. Kritsnam is managing over 24 billion litres of water, ensuring efficient and sustainable water resource management nationwide.

How does ‘Dhaara Smart Flowmeter’ Operate?

The device collects data through sensors, stores it in the device, and transmits to the online cloud servers and thereafter the data transmitted to servers is analysed and displayed in the dashboard. This unique solution is a combination of hardware & software for flow measurement and water management respectively.

The ‘Dhaara Smart Flowmeter’ is battery operated and does not require external power and the hardware architecture is based on the internet of things (IoT) communication circuits which is patented in India. In addition, it complies with ISO and Central Ground Water Authority standards. The water usage data is automatically recorded in an online logbook through telemetry via 4G/2G. The built-in telemetry and battery-operated capabilities make it easy for users to monitor their water consumption virtually anywhere, even when the power is out. The product being developed initially aims at management of water usage by commercial users like hotels, hospitals, malls, IT parks, schools, colleges and industrial users for food products, packaged drinking water, pharmaceuticals, paper & pulp industries etc.

Geographical Reach and Impact of ‘Dhaara Smart Flowmeter’

‘Dhaara Smart Flowmeter’ technology has been deployed across various states in India, addressing diverse hydrological and infrastructural challenges. Its adaptability ensures effective water management in urban centres with water scarcity and agricultural regions seeking optimal water use. ‘Dhaara Smart Flowmeter’ offers features that revolutionise water monitoring and management, enhancing operational efficiencies and sustainability.

A leading international airport used Dhaara Smart to manage post-COVID water demand for domestic, gardening, and Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) applications. Real-time monitoring and data analytics allowed efficient resource management, setting a benchmark in environmental stewardship for the aviation industry.

In one of India's largest residential projects, ‘Dhaara Smart Flowmeters’ eliminated manual data errors and optimised water supply management, ensuring uninterrupted access and promoting sustainability.

A commercial RO unit manufacturer extended the lifespan of its units with Dhaara Smart's remote monitoring and timely maintenance features. Similarly, textile manufacturers and heavy industries like tyre production improved water use efficiency, compliance, and cost savings through real-time data and anomaly detection.

Hospitals and schools, significant water consumers, also benefit from Dhaara Smart Flowmeters. A major hospital optimised resource allocation and reduced costs with detailed consumption patterns and remote tracking. An educational institution integrated the technology, enriching its curriculum with practical training in sustainable resource management.

‘Dhaara Smart Flowmeters’ are gateways to a sustainable future, providing benefits beyond simple consumption tracking, including regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and proactive maintenance.

Benefits of Smart Water Management through Innovative Technologies

Efficient Resource Allocation: Smart water meters provide real-time data on consumption, allowing businesses and utilities to optimise water usage and reduce excess.

Leak Detection and Loss Prevention: Advanced systems detect leaks and anomalies early, preventing water wastage and costly repairs, ensuring continuity and conservation.

Regulatory Compliance and Environmental Stewardship: These technologies help industries monitor and report water usage accurately, ensuring compliance with regulations.

Data-Driven Decisions: IoT and data analytics transform raw data into actionable insights for better water management.

Future-Proofing Operations: Investing in smart water management technology equips companies to adapt to changing environmental conditions, ensuring resilience and sustainability.

HOW DOES WATER MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY WORK?

The Core of Innovation: Ultrasonic Measurement of Water Flow

Kritsnam's technology is based on ultrasonic flow meters, which utilise high-frequency sound waves to measure the rate of water flow through pipes. This method offers a significant advantage over traditional mechanical meters, as it involves no physical contact with water, thus reducing wear and tear and extending the meter's lifespan. This technology ensures highly accurate and reliable measurements, critical for industries, municipalities, and residential complexes aiming to optimise their water usage.

IoT Integration: A Network of Intelligent Meters

Seamless integration of IoT technology has been mechanised with ultrasonic meters. Each meter is equipped to transmit data in real-time to a centralised platform, allowing for immediate insights and actions. This capability enables users to monitor their water consumption patterns continuously, detect leaks early, and manage water resources more dynamically and responsively than ever before.

Waters.blue: The Analytical Brain

This platform allows verified users to not only track water flow but also analyse usage patterns, set conservation goals, and comply with regulatory requirements. With features like real-time monitoring, leak detection, and usage alerts, Waters. blue is an essential tool for any entity focussed on sustainable water management.

Advancing Groundwater Sustainability: The Borewell Health Index

Development of the ‘Borewell Health Index’, designed to enhance the sustainability of borewells across the country is another achievement of Kritsnam start-up. This index evaluates groundwater sustainability by assessing levels, extraction rates, and local hydrogeological conditions, categorising borewells to inform maintenance and conservation strategies.

The Story of ‘Dhaara Smart Flowmeter’

A master's thesis at IIT Kanpur paved the way for the startup Kritsnam Technologies, established on November 3, 2015, in Hyderabad, Telangana, by IIT Kanpur alumni Shri K Sri Harsha. His advanced research focused on the benefits of a data-driven approach for optimising water use. Lending shape to his ideas, Shri Harsha founded the startup focussing on smart water management in India. Recognising the limitations of traditional methods, Harsha leveraged IoT and AI to introduce precision in water resource management.

Shri Harsha's dedication led him to walk over 930 kilometers along the Ganga for 90 days, gaining firsthand insights into water management in India. He found that urban industrial waste, especially from tanneries in Kanpur and Jajmau, significantly pollutes the river. Kritsnam's irrigation prediction modeling, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur and the University of Washington, received recognition from NASA and was featured in the World Bank's 2019 Global Knowledge Report.

Looking ahead, Kritsnam plans to integrate advanced in-line pressure and water quality sensors into the Dhaara Smart Pro series, enabling detailed water distribution tracking and precise GIS-based analytics. They are also developing Dhaara Level, a radar-based water level sensor for efficient tank monitoring, and Dhaara Health, a photodiode-based water quality sensor for drinking water supplies. Additionally, the Dhaara Smart Flowmeter, designed for real-time groundwater management without electricity, could revolutionise groundwater monitoring and control in India.

(The author is a science communication specialist. Feedback on this article can be sent to feedback.employmentnews@gmail.com)

Views expressed are personal.