Abstract
In the current scenario of increased water demand and climate change, the risks of water scarcity are greater, especially in the semi-arid region of Brazil, highlighting the need for efficient management of water resources. Faced with this challenge, this study developed a prototype for the automated measurement of water volume in distribution reservoirs aiming to control losses and assist management in supply systems. The device integrates an ultrasonic sensor with a NodeMCU microcontroller, programmed in C + + using the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE), to collect and transmit data to the IoT ThingSpeak platform. The prototype was installed in the reservoirs of the Water Supply System of the campus Sede of the Federal University of Campina Grande, Paraíba and data were collected between 24/09/2023 and 19/10/2023. The data analysis allowed us to calculate the minimum and maximum levels of the reservoirs to meet the demand and maintain the pressure in the network, and determine the useful volume. The device performed well, enabling the researchers to observe that manual management of the reservoirs resulted in irregular daily volume variations, dependence on the operator’s experience and availability, and water losses due to spillover. The volume in one of the reservoirs remained constant, negatively affecting water quality, while the other reservoir exhibited significant variations, with a mean daily demand of 91 m3. Low-pressure points were also identified in the network. The data collected by the sensor indicate the necessity of automated control to reduce water losses and maintain an efficient and sustainable water supply.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and the Coordination for the Improvement of University Education Personnel (CAPES) for the scholarships granted through the Graduate Program in Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Graduate Program in Engineering and Management of Natural Resources at the Federal University of Campina Grande.
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M.B.R., D.L.B. and I.A.P.B. conceptualized the study. M.B.R., D.L.B., I.A.P.B. and E.G.R. developed the methodology. Formal analysis and investigation were conducted by M.B.R., I.A.P.B. and E.G.R.; M.B.R. and E.G.R. prepared the original draft. M.B.R., E.G.R. and A.C.L.R. contributed to writing, reviewing, and editing the manuscript. Supervision was provided by D.L.B. and A.C.L.R. All authors discussed the results and contributed to the final version of the manuscript.
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Synopsis: given the importance of sustainable water management amid climate change and scarcity, this study developed a prototype for automated reservoir volume measurement, aiming to reduce losses and conserve resources.
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Ribeiro, M.B., Rocha, E.G., de Paiva Brandão, I.A. et al. IoT tank level measurement device for improving water distribution system operation. Earth Sci Inform 18, 359 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12145-025-01869-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12145-025-01869-y