Archive · 12 Jan 2026
IoT Revolutionizes Water Supply in Erode Villages
In Erode district, Tamil Nadu, an IAS officer named Raja Gopal Sunkara came up with a smart idea to fix the water problems in rural areas.
The villages there often had too little water, and the water supply was unreliable.
The old system used overhead tanks and tank operators, which caused water waste, high electricity bills, and unreliable water timings.
So, DC Sunkara decided to use IoT devices to make the water supply better.
These devices help by automatically controlling the water pumps and valves, preventing overflow, and providing real-time data on water levels.
This has led to a 40% reduction in electricity bills and a 20% increase in water supply.
The residents, especially women, are now getting water at fixed times, making their lives easier.
The plan is to expand this system to more villages in the future.
IoT devices installed in 50 habitations across 16 villages in Erode district have improved water supply and reduced electricity bills by 40%.
The system addresses issues of high water losses, unreliable water supply timings, high electricity bills, and motor damage due to dry runs.
Key features of the IoT system include tank-level alerts, automated pumping, scheduled water supply, overflow prevention, and comprehensive data collection.
The initiative has resulted in a 50% decrease in electricity units consumed and a 40% reduction in electricity bills in Ponmudi village, with a 20% increase in water supply.
The system has alleviated the burden on women who previously had to spend considerable time waiting for water, and the plan is to expand it to more villages.
- Who
- District Collector (DC) Raja Gopal Sunkara, a 2015-batch IAS officer, and the residents of 16 villages in Erode district, Tamil Nadu.
- What
- Implementation of IoT devices in overhead tanks (OHTs) to improve water supply and reduce electricity bills.
- When
- The initiative was implemented in May 2023 and has been ongoing since then.
- Where
- Erode district, Tamil Nadu, India.
- Why
- To address issues of high water losses, unreliable water supply timings, high electricity bills, and motor damage due to dry runs in the OHT water supply system.
- District
- Erode, Tamil Nadu
- Population
- 11 lakh (rural) as per 2011 Census
- Water Demand
- 74 MLD (million litres a day)
- Water Supply
- 40 to 55 LPCD (litres per capita per day)
- Overhead Tanks (OHTs)
- Over 4,700 in rural areas
- Tank Operators
- 299
- IoT Devices Installed
- 50 habitations across 16 villages
- Electricity Bill Reduction
- Approximately 40%
- Water Supply Increase
- Over 20%
- Cost per OHT
- Rs 1 to 1.5 lakh
- Funding Sources
- Village panchayat general fund, 15th Central Finance Commission (CFC) funds, District Mineral Foundation funds, Corporate Environment Responsibility funds