Save water by cellphone

A Zinkwazi resident who bagged ‘most innovative business model’ in last year’s Ilembe Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur competition has designed a method of saving water and electricity… with your cellphone.
Craig Heafield, has developed an intricate system called Omnisense, which has the ability to remotely monitor water, electricity and an array of environmental sensors. The system allows users to monitor, via their cell phone or website login, the consumption of remotely measured resources. The user also has the option of remotely switching on or off water or electricity supply should an anomaly be detected by the system.
“This is going to save water and electricity,” said Heafield.
“Since having it installed in my own home, I have  become more aware of how much potable water is actually being used. This can be measured down to the litre every minute. I have taken proactive measures to curb water usage. The same applies to electricity.”
The system uses a combination of GSM networks and internet infrastructure, which means it can be installed almost anywhere in the world, in residential homes, body corporates or for industrial or agricultural purposes.
Heafield has managed to secure a pilot project with Tongaat Hulett with the intention of integrating Omnisense into agricultural systems. He also plans to approach the Ilembe district municipality and the Water Affairs department.
Heafield said it has already proved to solve water woes such as finding leaks in homes that had remained undetected for years.
He said he was grateful for the training, mentorship and exposure he had gained from the Entrepreneur competition and would urge anyone thinking about entering the 2014 Entrepreneur competition to go for it.
The dates for the next competition are set to be announced by the end of the month. For more information contact the Ilembe Chamber on 087 727 8630.