A Wireless Network for Monitoring Pesticides in Groundwater: An Inclusive Approach for a Vulnerable Kenyan Population

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Water Quality Monitoring
• Public Health

Background:

• Safe drinking water is a recognized human right, yet access is limited in impoverished regions due to inadequate water quality testing resources.
• Kenya faces significant challenges with rising pesticide imports (144% increase 2015-2018), with 76% classified as highly hazardous, impacting rural agricultural communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a user-friendly wireless sensor system for monitoring pesticide prevalence in groundwater sources in Kenya.
• To address the lack of water quality monitoring and infrastructure in rural areas, where agriculture is a primary economic activity.

Main Methods:

• The proposed system integrates radio-frequency identification (RFID), Long-range (LoRa) protocol, and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM).
• The study investigates the reliability of the LoRa protocol for data transmission and features a user-friendly interface for data input.
• Employs remote wireless sensing methods to facilitate broader information access.

Main Results:

• The system is designed for ease of use by individuals with limited literacy, advanced age, or non-expert users.
• The reliability of LoRa protocol for data packet transmission in remote sensing applications is confirmed.
• The system provides a viable method for monitoring pesticide contamination in groundwater.

Conclusions:

• The developed wireless sensor system offers a practical and accessible solution for monitoring pesticide contamination in rural Kenyan groundwater.
• This technology can significantly improve public health by ensuring safer drinking water and protecting water ecosystems from agricultural pollutants.
• The system promotes broader access to vital water quality information, supporting informed decision-making for water resource management.