Technology giant IBM has launched a project that will assist in monitoring the water distribution system in South Africa via crowdsourcing.
The project, dubbed WaterWatchers, is based on a mobile phone applications and SMS, where South Africans will report faulty water pipes and water leaks for 30 days. The period started World Water Day, March 22.
Once the 30 days are over, the information collected will be analysed and presented in the form of a ‘leak spot’ map for South Africa.
This information will then be presented to local municipalities and water control boards, something that IBM believes will assist them in visualising and responding to water issues in the country.
The Android compatible app is free for download and together with the SMS, information will be collated in a centralised portal.
A user will be required to take a photo and answer three questions about the water issue, before the information is uploaded.
“Every update will provide vital data points to an aggregated ‘WaterWatchers’ report to create a single view of the issues challenging South Africa’s water distribution system,” IBM said in a statement.
Ahmed Simjee, IBM South Africa smarter planet executive, said: “This project is about analysing use, predicting demand and managing the future of our country’s water.”
“It’s a unique exercise in crowdsourcing for South Africa, and we encourage every person to become a ‘citizen scientist’ – to engage with the environment and help create a big picture map of our water leaks and issues,” he added.
