Digital Twin Technology Can Reduce Water Wastage by 20%: IIIT Hyderabad Researchers

Researchers at the Smart City Living Lab of IIIT Hyderabad have highlighted the potential of Digital Twin technology to reduce water wastage in houses, apartments, gated communities, offices and industries. According to the researchers, implementing this system could help save at least 20% of water. With the effects of El Niño expected to continue until March next year, they say adopting smart water-management methods could play an important role in conserving water. While the World Health Organization's recommended requirement is 130 litres per person per day, considerable quantities of water are wasted during everyday activities such as bathing, washing clothes and utensils, watering plants and cleaning vehicles.

The Digital Twin system uses sensors installed across water pipelines, storage tanks and supply valves to monitor the movement and consumption of water in real time. Connected through the Internet of Things (IoT), these sensors can identify leakages, low water pressure and interruptions in supply, with the information displayed at a central command-and-control centre. In apartments, the system can track the quantity of water used by individual flats, alert residents when taps are left running and automatically shut off the supply when necessary. Gated communities can also analyse peak consumption hours and adjust water pressure to reduce wastage. Apart from conserving water, the technology can help monitor water quality and pollution, potentially reducing water-related health risks. Researchers say the system can operate continuously and may be installed at a cost lower than the expenditure currently incurred on water management.