The IQUA – IIT Ropar Quality Aqua Monitoring is an advanced real-time solution designed to measure and analyze critical water quality parameters, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards while optimizing water management. It integrates high-precision sensors with cloud-based monitoring to provide continuous tracking of parameters such as chlorine levels, hypochlorous acid, electrode signal, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS) and pH values.
With IoT-enabled cloud analytics, automated alerts, and a modular sensor system, this system is ideal for municipal water treatment, industrial wastewater management, aquaculture, environmental monitoring, and laboratory applications. Its scalable, low-maintenance, and energy-efficient design ensures accurate, real-time monitoring, making it a reliable solution for safeguarding water quality across various sectors.
Project Approach
Our approach ensures a robust, scalable, and easily deployable solution for real-time water quality monitoring in water systems.
1️⃣ Sensor Selection & Research – The Water qualities sensor was chosen for its high accuracy and RS485 Modbus compatibility, ensuring precise measurement across various water conditions.
2️⃣ System Design & Architecture – The sensor connects to an NRF microcontroller via RS485 Modbus RTU, with data transmitted to the cloud through a 4G gateway, enabling real-time remote monitoring.
3️⃣ Communication Protocol Implementation – UART communication was implemented on the microcontroller for seamless Modbus RTU data exchange, with built-in error-handling for reliability.
4️⃣ Cloud & Data Analytics Integration – The Quectel EC Series 4G module transmits data to AWS IoT, where it is stored, analyzed, and visualized through user-friendly dashboards for real-time insights.
5️⃣ Mobile Application & User Interface – The CloudSence mobile app provides real-time data, alerts, and historical reports, enabling users to monitor and maintain safe chlorine levels effortlessly.
Features
- Real-Time Monitoring – Continuous and precise measurement of multiple water quality parameters, with the help of sensors like BH5530D sensor, BH505-A Sensor, FLDBH551-D , Sensor, BH-DpH07 Sensor
- Cloud Integration – Secure cloud-based data storage and visualization for remote access and analysis.
- User-Friendly Interface – Intuitive web and mobile dashboard for seamless monitoring and control.
- Modular Sensor System – Customizable configuration with industry-standard digital sensors, including the BH5530D chlorine sensor.
- RS485 MODBUS Communication – Reliable long-distance data transmission for uninterrupted monitoring.
- Low Maintenance – Sensors with self-cleaning mechanisms and extended calibration intervals.
- Waterproof & Durable – IP68-rated sensors designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions.
- Automated Alerts – Instant notifications for abnormal chlorine levels and other critical water quality deviations.
- Technical Specifications
- Sensor: RS485 based Sensors
- Microcontroller: NRF53 Series
- Communication Protocol: RS485 Modbus RTU
- Connectivity: 4G Gateway (Quectel EC Series) for cloud integration
- Power Supply: 12V DC
- Cloud Platform: AWS for data storage, visualization, and analytics
- Mobile App: Provides real-time monitoring, alerts, and historical data access
Parameters and Accuracy
| Parameter | Range | Accuracy |
| Chlorine Value | 0-20 mg/L | ±3% |
| Hypochlorous Acid Value | 0-20 mg/L | ±3% |
| Electrode Signal Value | Variable | ±1% |
| Temperature Value | -10~110°C | ±0.5°C |
| DO Percentage | 0-100% | ±3% |
| DO Value | 0-10 mg/L | ±3% |
| COD Value | 0-500 mg/L | ±5% |
| BOD Value | 0-400 mg/L | ±5% |
| TSS Value | 0-3000 mg/L | ±5% |
| pH Value | 0-14 | ≤±0.02pH |
Unique Selling Points
- Multi-Parameter Monitoring: A comprehensive water quality solution, measuring chlorine levels and other critical parameters in a single system.
- IoT-Enabled Cloud Analytics: Real-time monitoring with secure cloud storage and data-driven insights for proactive decision-making.
- Scalability: Adaptable for both small-scale and large-scale water treatment applications, from municipal systems to industrial facilities.
- Energy Efficient: Low-power consumption ensures long-term, sustainable operation with minimal maintenance.
- Customizable & Expandable: Modular sensor integration allows flexible deployment, based on specific industry and environmental needs.
Applications and Useability
- Municipal Water Treatment: Ensures a safe and reliable drinking water supply by continuously monitoring and regulating chlorine levels in distribution systems, preventing contamination and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
- Industrial Water Quality Control: Helps maintain consistent water quality in manufacturing and processing plants by monitoring chlorine concentration, preventing corrosion, scaling, and contamination in industrial processes.
- Aquaculture & Fisheries: Supports healthy aquatic ecosystems by regulating chlorine levels to prevent toxic exposure, ensuring optimal water conditions for fish farming and aquatic research facilities.
- Environmental Water Monitoring: Tracks pollution levels in natural water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Provides critical data for environmental agencies and researchers to monitor water health and take corrective measures when contamination is detected.
- Wastewater Treatment: Ensures effective disinfection in industrial and municipal wastewater treatment plants by optimizing chlorine dosage, preventing harmful chemical exposure while ensuring compliance with wastewater discharge standards.
Impact
- Ensures Water Safety: Continuously monitors chlorine levels and key water parameters to prevent contamination in drinking water, industrial processes, and wastewater treatment, safeguarding public health.
- Regulatory Compliance: Assists municipalities, industries, and environmental agencies in maintaining compliance with water quality regulations, ensuring safe and legal water treatment practices.
- Enhanced Environmental Health: Supports water conservation efforts by tracking pollution levels, minimizing harmful chlorine exposure, and protecting aquatic ecosystems.
- Cost Efficiency & Sustainability: Reduces operational expenses through automated monitoring, predictive maintenance, and minimizing chemical waste and ensuring energy-efficient operation.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Provides real-time analytics, cloud-based reporting, and automated alerts, enabling proactive interventions in response to water quality fluctuations.
Target Audience/Beneficiaries
- Water Treatment Facilities: Municipal corporations and private water utilities responsible for safe drinking water distribution and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Industrial Sectors: Factories and processing plants that require precise water quality control for manufacturing, cooling systems, and industrial processes.
- Regulatory Bodies: Government agencies and environmental regulators ensuring compliance with water quality standards for public health and environmental protection.
- Environmental Organizations & Researchers: NGOs, academic institutions, and research organizations focused on water conservation, pollution control, and ecosystem protection.
- Agriculture & Aquaculture: Farmers, fisheries, and aquaculture businesses relying on optimal water conditions for irrigation, livestock, and aquatic life sustainability.
- Hospitals & Laboratories: Medical facilities, diagnostic labs, and pharmaceutical industries requiring sterile and contamination-free water for critical applications.
At the heart of this innovation is iHub – AWaDH at IIT Ropar, established under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. With a ₹110 Cr funding commitment, iHub – AWaDH is pioneering deep-tech solutions in water management, agriculture, IoT, and cyber-physical systems, driving impactful innovations for a sustainable future.
The future of water quality monitoring is here, and it is real-time, intelligent, and transformative. Be a part of this revolution. Let’s collaborate to create a lasting impact on environmental sustainability.
Submit your interest to collaborate and make a lasting impact on environmental sustainability: http://bit.ly/AWaDH_Technologies