Smart Technologies for Water Resource Management: An Overview

Sensors (Basel). 2022 Aug 19;22(16):6225. doi: 10.3390/s22166225.

Abstract

The latest progress in information and communication technology (ICT) and the Internet of Things (IoT) have opened up new opportunities for real-time monitoring and controlling of cities' structures, infrastructures, and services. In this context, smart water management technology provides the data and tools to help users more effectively manage water usage. Data collected with smart water devices are being integrated with building management systems to show how much water is used by occupants as well as to identify the consumption areas to use water more efficiently. By this approach, smart buildings represent an innovative solution that enhances a city's sustainability and contributes to overcoming environmental challenges due to increasing population and climate change. One of the main challenges is resource-saving and recovery. Water is an all-important need of all living beings, and the concerns of its scarcity impose a transition to innovative and sustainable management starting from the building scale. Thus, this manuscript aims to provide an updated and valuable overview for researchers, consumers, and stakeholders regarding implementing smart and sustainable technologies for water resource management, primarily for building-scale uses.

Keywords: IoT; sensors; smart building; water consumption; water leakage detection; water level.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cities
  • Climate Change
  • Technology*
  • Water
  • Water Resources*

Substances

  • Water

Grants and funding

The author S.A.P. is supported by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (D.M. n. 1062/2021)—REACT EU—National Operational Program on Research and Innovation (PON R&I) 2014–2020—Axis IV; Action IV.4, Action IV.6. CUP: H25F21001230004. IC: 1062_R18_GREEN.