Ideaz

The Problem

Water scarcity is becoming one of the most urgent issues in Hyderabad. The city is expanding rapidly, and the demand for water is growing every year. Yet, large amounts of water are being lost before they even reach households.

Aging infrastructure: Many pipelines are decades old, prone to leaks and bursts, which leads to enormous water loss.

Irregular supply: Residents often face shortages, especially during summer when demand is at its peak.

Unmonitored usage: In most apartment complexes, water bills are split equally, which means there is little incentive for households to save water. Families that use less end up paying the same as those who waste more.

Lack of recycling: A significant amount of greywater (from showers, washing machines, and sinks) is simply drained away, even though it could be reused for purposes such as gardening or flushing.

The Solution: HydroSense

HydroSense is a smart water management system that uses modern technology to monitor, conserve, and optimize water usage in communities and apartments.

1. Leak Detection through IoT and AI

Small IoT sensors are installed in pipelines to continuously monitor flow and pressure. The system uses AI to detect leaks or unusual consumption patterns, alerting maintenance teams immediately. This prevents large-scale water loss.

2. Smart Water Meters for Apartments

Instead of splitting bills equally, each household has a smart meter that tracks its own usage. This brings fairness to billing and creates accountability. Families are encouraged to save water when they see their consumption directly reflected in the bill.

3. Community Water Recycling Units

Compact recycling units can be installed in residential communities. Greywater from bathrooms and kitchens is treated and reused for non-drinking purposes like gardening, car washing, and flushing toilets. This reduces dependence on fresh water.

4. Mobile Application

A user-friendly app allows residents and community managers to:

Track water usage in real time.

Get alerts about leaks or unusual consumption.

Monitor recycled water availability.

Receive monthly community water health reports.

Why Hyderabad?

The city already has a strong base of technology talent, making it easier to build and scale IoT and AI solutions.

Gated communities and apartment complexes are growing rapidly, creating a concentrated customer base.

Government bodies and NGOs are actively funding water conservation projects, which can support adoption.

Once the model is proven in Hyderabad, it can easily expand to other water-stressed cities like Bangalore, Chennai, and Delhi.

Business Model

B2B (Apartments/Communities): Charge installation fees for meters and sensors, plus a monthly subscription per flat (₹5–15).

B2G (Government/NGOs): Offer large-scale smart pipeline monitoring contracts to reduce city-wide leakage.

Hardware Sales: Sell IoT water meters, leak detection devices, and recycling units directly to communities or builders.

Impact

HydroSense will help Hyderabad conserve millions of liters of water, ensure fair billing for families, and reduce dependency on fresh water. Over time, this can significantly improve water security for the city and create a scalable model for other urban areas.