Geographic Information System and Sensor Networks Framework in Transformation of Water-scarce Communities into Water Secure Communities: Case of Masvingo City

Like most of the developing countries, Zimbabwe continues to face critical piped water shortages. In this paper, the authors present a GIS framework for mapping, monitoring and real-time leakage detection in water distribution networks to transform a water scarce community into a water secure community. It was conducted under guidance of the following objectives of developing a geographic information system framework that can be used to reduce the treated water losses along the water distribution channel by Masvingo City and evaluating the usefulness of geographic information system and water pressure sensors in reducing real/physical water losses and improving water supply within the City of Masvingo. The study sought to ascertain the relationship between water losses and factors such as Leak run time and Leak awareness time against the presence or absence of a real time leak detection mechanism. It employed design science, descriptive survey research methodology with both quantitative and qualitative research designs culminating into the formulation of a GIS framework for water network monitoring and real-time leak detection. The study targeted a population inclusive of the workers and registered water consumers of City of Masvingo water supply scheme. Pearson correlation was used to measure the degree of association between variables under consideration i.e., independent variables and the dependent variables. Total leak run time (Hours) and Water loss (Mm3) had a positive correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient = .941). Leak age before reporting and Water loss (Mm3) had a strong correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient = .942). The regression equation y = 0.331x + 0.189 was obtained which showed that a unit increase in a water leak run time will lead to a 0.331 i.e., 33% increase in the water loss added to a constant loss of 0.189 i.e., 19%. From the study’s findings a GIS framework applied reduced Average Leak awareness time by 100% through real time leak detection however it did not reduce Average Leak repair time. The results showed that the framework reduced Total Water Loss by 30% in the water supply network. Based on the study findings it is suggested that; City of Masvingo should make use of GIS and sensors to monitor the water supply chain and detect leakages in real-time. The study recommended that a similar study be carried out in other local authorities to establish and appreciate the role of ICT specifically QGIS and sensors in water resources management.