IoT-Based Smart Water Quality Monitoring System Architectures, Challenges, and Future Trends

Water quality has become one of the most crucial global concerns due to increased pollution from industrial, agricultural, and domestic activities. Conventional laboratory testing methods are time- consuming and lack the capability for continuous analysis. The Internet of Things (IoT) provides a promising solution through distributed sensor networks, wireless connectivity, and intelligent data analytics. This paper provides a comprehensive review of IoT-based smart water quality monitoring systems, focusing on architecture, sensor technologies, communication protocols, cloud integration, and advanced analytics. Twenty-five research articles published between 2016 and 2025 were analyzed to identify technological trends and existing gaps. The study highlights major challenges such as sensor drift, network latency, energy optimization, and data security. Future trends like edge computing, artificial intelligence, and blockchain integration are also explored. This review aims to consolidate existing knowledge and propose design considerations for scalable, efficient, and sustainable water quality monitoring solutions.