CENSIS is working with Aqsen Innovations to advance the development of Aqua-Sense, the company’s water monitoring system which can test for a range of variables in water, such as temperature, oxygenation, salinity, and the presence of chemicals such as chlorine.
Systems with these features are often too costly to use in many developing countries. Aqsen Innovations is aiming for its technology to be priced at 25% to 30% of equivalent products. CENSIS is providing support by integrating IoT technologies into the company’s product.
The system will allow water quality to be measured in real-time, with data monitored remotely via a mobile device. It is particularly aimed at areas which are prone to flooding or rely on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture and aquaculture. Once deployed, farmers could use the technology to monitor the soil moisture for crops. Fish farmers could track the temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, and the pH level of water.
Later in 2024, Aqsen Innovations will work with Makerere University College of Natural Sciences in Uganda to begin advanced trials of the technology in Lake Victoria. Initial trials have been undertaken at fish farms in Uganda, as well as in India monitoring the quality of water in floodplains and on farmland.
The system will also be trialled in Scotland, as part of several projects involving CENSIS including flooding and tree planting.