Sagittarius: Floating Self Navigating Robot for Monitor the Water Quality of Rural Reservoirs

This paper proposes an optimal solution for monitoring water quality in Sri Lanka, where reservoirs are essential for daily life and agriculture, especially in rural areas. Despite its importance, 3.6 million communities are affected by severe water quality problems, contributing to a high incidence of chronic kidney diseases. While water purification plants are the only solution, high salinity and hardness often make these sources unsuitable. Many rural reservoirs remain unpurified but could potentially provide safe water if properly monitored and maintained. Yet water sources are frequently contaminated by chemical waste and activities associated with agricultural business but effective solutions for continuous water quality monitoring are lacking. This study introduces an autonomous robot equipped with advanced sensors to monitor critical water quality parameters in real-time. By integrating machine learning for data analysis and prediction, Sagittarius enables continuous assessment of reservoir water quality, providing timely insights for public health protection. Field tests demonstrate a prediction accuracy exceeding 98.5%, supporting proactive water management and monitoring. This system has shown potential to aid in early detection of contamination, informing authorities promptly for preventive actions, and enabling sustainable water usage. This solution can significantly contribute to public health protection and informed water resource management decisions.