Digital devices are being installed at city reservoirs and various water distribution points to keep a tab on water levels through a centralised online network.
Using the electronic data acquisition equipment and matrix display system, Chennai Metrowater will be able to monitor the entire process, from the sourcing point to the distribution of drinking water to residents, round-the-clock.
The water agency is in the process of installing the devices at points where the water level is being measured at the reservoirs in Red Hills, Cholavaram, Poondi and Chembarambakkam, in Veeranam tank in Cuddalore district, and at the entry point of the Kandaleru-Poondi canal near Uthukottai.
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At present, the Water Resources Department shares the data on water levels once a day with Metrowater. Once the project is commissioned, the latter will be able to check the levels anytime during the day. This project comes at a crucial point when the water level in the reservoirs is low and would help decision-making on water distribution, sources said.
Similar devices are also being fixed in 16 water distribution stations to gain better access to data on the volume of water distributed to different points. The ultrasonic equipment will capture data with sensors and transfer through a GPRS/GSM-based network to the head office in Chintadripet where it will be processed and analysed. The centralised system, which is expected to be ready in a few weeks, will also help officials assess the extent of loss during transmission from one point to another.