Jivamritam is an innovative water sustainability initiative developed by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. Jivamritam tackles water purification challenges in India by providing an affordable, sustainable, and effective solution for clean drinking water, with the ultimate aim of improving public health and well-being in underserved communities.

Inspired by Jivamritam, Dr. Aryadevi R.D., Assistant Professor at the Center for Wireless Networks & Applications, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, is leading an innovative research project aimed at transforming water quality monitoring through geospatially enabled learning approaches.

Collaborative, Interdisciplinary Project

The outcomes of this project will be developed by using a multidisciplinary approach that integrates various domains such as water sustainability, water quality, water access, water availability, internet of things, geospatial applications, citizen centric approaches, machine learning and AI models.

This interdisciplinary project is a collaborative effort co-ideated and co-developed by faculty members from several esteemed departments: the Center for Wireless Networks & Applications, the School for Sustainable Futures, the Center for  Water Resources Development & Management, and the School of Business. The dedicated experts co-leading this initiative are Dr. Maneesha V. Ramesh, Dr. P. S. Harikumar, Dr. Viswanathan P. K., and Dr. Rekha P.

This project is also a collaboration with the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM). CWRDM is a premier Research & Development institution in the water sector established by the Government of Kerala, India. Recognising the need for catering to the Research & Development needs in the field of water management, the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) was established as an autonomous research organisation by the Government of Kerala, under its Science and Technology Policy in February 1978. The Centre was amalgamated with the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) in its Silver Jubilee Year-2003.

The Purpose of this Research

This research project, titled GEL-IoT: Geospatially Enabled Learning Approaches for Intelligent IoT-Based Water Quality Monitoring, addresses the urgent need for continuous, real-time water quality monitoring, particularly in vulnerable regions where access to clean drinking water remains a challenge. The focus of the GEL-IoT initiative is to leverage geospatial technology and IoT to monitor water sources, providing data that is crucial for timely intervention and management of water contamination risks. This project is especially relevant to India and the state of Kerala, where several communities face difficulties in securing safe drinking water due to contamination and inadequate infrastructure for water quality management. With 13 years of dedicated tenure at Amrita, Dr. Aryadevi’s expertise and long standing commitment to research in wireless networks have now been further recognized by a significant grant sanctioned by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. This grant  is poised to support critical advancements in public health and water security through the integration of remote sensing and IoT technologies.

Motivations and Goals

The driving force behind Dr. Aryadevi’s research stems from the critical need to tackle waterborne diseases linked to contaminated water sources. Through real-time monitoring and the delivery of continuous data, the GEL-IoT project aims to empower decision-makers with actionable insights, allowing for prompt responses to contamination issues. This approach, the research team believes, will lead to enhanced water security and contribute to the broader goal of sustainable access to clean water for all.

Far-Reaching Impact

Dr. Aryadevi’s work holds the potential to revolutionize water quality monitoring systems, with impacts that extend beyond local communities to regional and national levels. By providing continuous, geospatially enabled data, the project not only aims to reduce health risks but also to foster sustainable water management practices. The integration of IoT in monitoring efforts underscores a transformative approach to addressing water contamination, protecting ecosystems, and promoting public health.

Project Timeline and Deliverables

The DST grant, sanctioned in 2022, funds a three-year research period during which Dr. Aryadevi’s team will develop and implement a water quality monitoring system utilizing remote sensing and IoT across selected vulnerable communities. At the conclusion of this period, the team aims to deliver a robust, scalable system that can serve as a model for similar applications in other regions facing water quality challenges.

Dr. Aryadevi’s project exemplifies Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to address critical societal issues, positioning the institution as a leader in research that drives sustainable development and public health improvements.

Research Investigators