Connecting Existing Well Water-Level Sensors to the IoT

Rusutsu Resort already has wells and water-level sensors that record groundwater levels.

However, some existing sensors are not connected to the internet or LoRaWAN. To review their data, staff must either retrieve it from the recording devices on-site or contact the personnel responsible by phone.

This approach requires someone to travel to the site whenever data are needed, resulting in ongoing labor costs.

It also makes it difficult to check conditions promptly when groundwater levels change significantly, such as during heavy rainfall or snowmelt.

During Phase 2, we retrieved stored water-level data from existing sensors manufactured by OYO Corporation.

We also conducted a technical review of how the existing equipment records and outputs data.

As a result, we found that it may be possible to automatically retrieve and remotely transmit measurement data by connecting an external communication device, without replacing the sensors themselves.

By developing a dedicated data-retrieval and conversion device, the following type of operation will become possible.

The device will automatically read data recorded by the groundwater-level sensors and transmit it to a server via LoRaWAN or similar networks. The transmitted data will be displayed on a web-based management dashboard, allowing groundwater levels to be checked without visiting the site.

This will reduce the need for manual data collection and enable continuous, year-round monitoring of groundwater levels.

Furthermore, by combining these data with information from rain gauges and other observation wells, we will be able to analyze how much groundwater levels rise after rainfall, when snowmelt affects groundwater, and how pumping from wells affects the surrounding groundwater.

Phase 2 included a technical assessment of whether IoT connectivity could be introduced.

In the next step, Phase 2.5, we plan to develop IoT connectivity equipment, install it on-site, conduct communication tests, and integrate the data with the web-based management dashboard.

Making use of existing equipment while transitioning to a more efficient and sustainable monitoring system will be the next step in groundwater management at Rusutsu.