Use phone to monitor borehole water level

By Standard Reporter

Davis and Shirtliff, in partnership with solar pump manufacturer Lorentz, has launched the Lorentz pump scanner application for customers and technicians to remotely monitor borehole performance and stem water wastage from boreholes.

“Customers are now able to track the pump performance and get a technician on site whenever they note an abnormal trend in their borehole output,” said Alec Davis, CEO Davis and Shirtliff Group.

He said the biggest problem with boreholes has been that when they malfunction, a technician has to check all parts.

“We developed the technology for preventive maintenance for clients and also to give customers more control of their pumps,” said Kai Reinecke Channel Manager at Lorentz.

Application

The PS controller is available as an application for Android phones as well as accessible via tablets and laptops, and is able to store data for up to two years, giving proper records of the pumping activities, including how much water is being produced, at what rate, the amount of power being used, and the length of each pumping session.

Once a pump is switched on, the PS controller sends data on voltage and pump rotation via GPS to the Lorentz database, where it is stored. It is then sent to the clients’ laptop or phone.

“Before, we only sent a technician to site when the client reported abnormal output, or the pump had broken down,” said Norman Chege, Solar Manager at Davis and Shirtliff Group.

In Mombasa District, about 35 per cent of water demand is supplied by ground water sources, including Marere boreholes, which mainly supply the Likoni area.

“In such situations, where lives of thousands depend on the water from boreholes, any malfunction puts these families at risk. This system gives one time to organise for a technician to get on site before the system breaks down completely,” said Chege.

Davis and Shirtliff said it is the first company in the region to bring this product to full commercial use.