Chapter 1
Introduction
Background of the Study
The increasing number of health issues caused by contaminated drinking
water continues to be a major concern in many parts of the world. Reports from the
World Health Organization (WHO, 2022) show that approximately 2 billion people
consume water that may be unsafe due to the presence of harmful bacteria, viruses,
and chemicals. In areas with limited resources, the tools and systems for testing
water quality are often slow, expensive, or unavailable, leaving communities
vulnerable to waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and hepatitis A.
The common water testing techniques are mostly supported by laboratory
techniques, which are cumbersome in terms of time and require qualified staff. This
complicates the direct identification of the destructive alterations of water quality.
Slow reaction to the contamination may jeopardize the whole community. With
such a challenge at the back of the mind, modern technologies such as the Internet
of Things (IoT) have become an endorsement that can be used to enhance the safety
and monitoring of the water.
IoT is an apparatus of internet-linked appliances that are capable of
accumulating and transmitting data in the form of automation. IoT has been used in
this research by a mixture of sensors that detect the pH, turbidity, total dissolved
solids (TDS), and temperature are significant factors in determining the quality of
water. It goes through these sensors into a microcontroller (like ESP32), which
gathers the data and then sends it to an online database, such as Thingspeak or
Blynk, where people can read the live output using their smartphones or computers.
In addition, the system will have automated purification means. When the
unsafe conditions are indicated, a relay module switches on such devices as UV
sterilizers or reverse osmosis filters that clean an amount of water without human
intervention. This is an automatic reaction that prevents disease occurrence and also
makes sure that there is water treatment before the application of water in
consumption.
The purpose of the study is to provide reasonable and feasible solution of
appearing real life water problems with affordable technology. It supports the role
of real-time monitoring combined with automated purification being able to support
health outcomes and contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 6, which
advocates access to clean water and sanitation to everyone. Offering real-time
monitoring of unsafe conditions and immediate purification of these conditions, this
system enables communities, particularly those in underserved or rural
communities, to claim safety and make more informed choices regarding the water
they participate in every day.
Statement of the Problem
This study focuses on addressing the limitations of traditional water
monitoring and purification systems by developing an IoT-based solution that can
detect, monitor, and purify water in real- time. Specifically, the study aims to
answer the following questions:
1. How can water quality be monitored continuously and in real-time in areas with
limited access to laboratory testing or professional analysis?
2. To what extent can an automated purification system respond effectively when
unsafe water parameters are detected?
3. Can an IoT-integrated water monitoring and purification system help reduce the
health risks associated with consuming contaminated water?
Objectives of the Study
To develop and evaluate an IoT-based water monitoring and purification
system that provides real-time water quality analysis and automated treatment to
help reduce health risks caused by contaminated drinking water. Specifically, the
study aims to:
1. Determine whether the water quality should be monitored continuously and in
real-time in areas with limited access to laboratory testing or professional
analysis.
2. Ascertain the effectiveness of an automated purification system in responding to
unsafe water parameters detected by the IoT-based monitoring system.
3. Evaluate whether the IoT-integrated water monitoring and purification system
helps reduce the health risks associated with consuming contaminated water.
Significance of the Study
The study’s main goal is to address a pressing global concern: the lack of
consistent access to clean and safe drinking water. Traditional methods of water
quality assessment and purification are often delayed, manual, and resource-
dependent, making them insufficient for communities with limited infrastructure.
This research introduces an IoT-based water monitoring and purification system
designed to offer a real-time, automated, and efficient response to unsafe water
conditions.
One advantage of this system is the fact that it is proactive. With regular
monitoring of the essential parameters of the water pH, turbidity, temperature, and
TDS, the system can identify instantaneous contamination and initiate the
purification systems without relying on people. Such immediate response assists
not only in determining but also in preventing the use of unsafe water to minimize
the effects of waterborne diseases and health emergencies. In addition to its
technical purpose, the research advocates water as a human right of man. It makes
communities more powerful by directly providing them with information about
their water quality, at the right time and of the quality they can rely upon, and
thereby helping promote the health of populations, building confidence in local
water sources.
Scope and Delimitation of the Study
This study focuses on the development and implementation of an IoT-
based water monitoring and purification machine designed to help keep
swimming areas in Milusok clean and safe. It is not intended for drinking water
but only for those who want to swim or those people whose exploring different
swimming areas here in Bukidnon. The system will use sensors to monitor
important water quality factors like pH level, temperature, turbidity, and
TUBSensors. These sensors will be connected to an IoT platform that can send
alerts or display the current status of the water in real time. If the water is detected
to be clean or unsafe for swimming.
The study will be limited to one swimming area in Milusok as a testing site. It will
focus on how effective and reliable the system is in monitoring water conditions
and how helpful it can be for residents in maintaining safe swimming spots. It will
also include user feedback to understand the practicality and usefulness of the
system in a real community setting. This study does not include advanced
purification for drinking water, nor does it cover large-scale water systems or other
unrelated areas. Instead, the goal is to build a simple, affordable, and smart solution
that helps promote safe, clean and enjoyable swimming experiences for the local
community.
Definition of Terms
1. IoT (Internet of Things)- A system of interrelated computing devices connected
via the internet that can collect, send, and receive data. In this project, IoT enables
real-time water quality monitoring and remote control of purification functions.
2. Water Monitoring- The process of collecting and analyzing water samples to
assess quality, including parameters like pH, turbidity, TDS, and temperature. It
ensures the safety and suitability of water for human use.
3. Water Purification- A process that removes contaminants, microorganisms, and
impurities from water to make it safe for consumption. Methods may include
filtration, UV treatment, reverse osmosis, and chemical disinfection.
4. pH Sensor-An electronic component that measures the acidity or alkalinity of
water. The pH scale ranges from 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline), with 7 being neutral.
5. Turbidity Sensor- A device that measures the cloudiness or haziness in water,
which is usually caused by suspended solids or impurities.
6. TDS Sensor (Total Dissolved Solids)- A sensor that detects the concentration of
dissolved ions and minerals in water. High TDS levels may indicate water pollution
or poor water quality.
7. Temperature Sensor- A sensor used to measure the water’s temperature, which
can affect chemical balance and purification processes.
8. ESP32- A low-cost, low-power microcontroller with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
used in IoT projects to connect sensors and send data to the cloud or apps.
9. Relay Module- An electronic switch that allows the microcontroller to control
high-voltage components like water pumps or UV filters.
10. LCD Display- A liquid crystal display used to show real-time sensor readings
such as pH, TDS, and temperature for user monitoring.
11. Real-Time Monitoring- The ability to observe data as it happens. In this project,
it refers to viewing live water quality metrics via display or app.
12. Automation- The use of technology to perform tasks without human
intervention. Here, the purification process is automatically triggered based on
water quality readings.
13. UV Purification- A water treatment method that uses ultraviolet light to kill or
deactivate bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
14. Reverse Osmosis (RO)- A water purification technique that uses a
semipermeable membrane to remove ions, molecules, and larger particles from
water.
15. ThingSpeak / Blynk / App Interface- IoT platforms or apps that collect,
visualize, and control sensor data remotely using smartphones or computers
