DEPLOYING AUTOMATED SHUT-OFF TECHNOLOGY AND WATER FILTRATION SYSTEMS TO REDUCE WATER LOSS CAUSED BY DAMAGED PIPELINES: A CASE STUDY OF WASAC REMERA BRANCH (2023-2025)

Résumé

Water loss and water quality deterioration remain major challenges for water utilities, particularly where pipeline leakages, damaged infrastructure, and delayed fault response contribute to Non-Revenue Water (NRW) and contamination risks. This study designed, developed, and evaluated an Internet of Things (IoT)-based automated shut-off and water filtration system for WASAC Remera Branch, Rwanda. A Design-Based Research (DBR) approach combined with experimental testing was adopted. Data were collected through observation, interviews with WASAC technical personnel, system measurements, and experimental testing. The developed prototype integrated an ESP32 microcontroller, flow and pressure sensors, leak detection sensors, automated control components, communication technologies, a water filtration unit, and a web-based monitoring platform. Rule-based algorithms were applied to sensor readings to identify abnormal pipeline conditions and automatically initiate appropriate response actions. Findings from functional testing demonstrated that the system successfully detected leakage conditions, monitored pipeline parameters, generated alerts, recorded system events, and initiated automated shut-off actions when abnormal conditions were detected. The integration of automated monitoring, rapid leak response, and water filtration provided a practical mechanism for minimizing the consequences of pipeline failures while supporting water quality management. The study concluded that integrating IoT-based monitoring, automated shut-off technology, and water filtration provides a promising approach to improving smart water distribution management. It recommends that WASAC conduct further field testing in selected high-risk distribution zones before considering wider implementation.