Bengaluru water board to use AI, IoT for borewell management

BWSSB on March 25 demonstrated the implementation of AI and IoT in a borewell located at Benson Town in Central Bengaluru.

Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has decided to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies for efficient borewell management.

The BWSSB, on March 25, demonstrated the implementation of AI and IoT in a borewell located at Benson Town in Central Bengaluru. Of the around 14,000 public borewells in Bengaluru, nearly 6,900 have already dried up this summer.

BWSSB chairman V Ram Prasath Manohar told Moneycontrol: "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."

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"This will curb unscientific borewell exploitation, ensuring sustainability. Fixed pumping levels will prevent overuse, while central monitoring will streamline operations," Manohar elaborated, highlighting the shift towards data-driven management.

Stating assessing borewell water levels now poses challenges, often relying on guesswork, Manohar emphasised the need for controlled pumping to avoid damaging the borewell infrastructure. "The excessive extraction risks drawing soil into the borewells also causing blockages," he said.

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He stated that they would implement this technology across all 14,000 public borewells, with an initial focus on the 7,000 active ones. "We have successfully piloted this technology in five borewells and plan to expand its implementation to the remaining ones."