UABCS Researchers Develop Smart Water Management System for Arid Regions

The prototype, developed by engineering students and environmental science researchers, combines soil moisture sensors with predictive algorithms that detect leaks and water waste.

Aqua Smart

A research team from the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur (UABCS) has unveiled an artificial intelligence-based system designed to manage water more efficiently in rural communities within the state’s desert regions.

The prototype, developed by engineering students and environmental science researchers, combines soil moisture sensors with predictive algorithms that detect leaks and water waste.

The project, named “AquaSmart BCS,” addresses one of the region’s most pressing issues: inefficient water usage in agriculture and domestic settings. Using sensors installed in soil and water pipes, the system monitors real-time water flow and sends alerts to both users and municipal authorities.

María Fernanda León, one of the lead developers, explained that the system not only detects anomalies but also suggests optimal irrigation routines based on temperature, soil humidity, and forecasted weather conditions.

The pilot is already running successfully in the communities of El Triunfo and Todos Santos, where water consumption has decreased by more than 30%.

The state government, through the Secretariat of Urban Planning and Water Resources, is considering scaling the project—a promising move toward sustainability and environmental resilience.