Water Watch

RIMES_RnD

About this app

Water Watch is a mobile application for collecting water-level (WL) data. The main goal is to make it easier for its users—more especially, gauge readers—of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (FFWC) and Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) to collect water-level data. It is a community-focused mobile application, enhancing water-level data collection and early warning capabilities for vulnerable areas. The iterative development process ensures optimal functionality and user engagement, aligning with disaster resilience goals.

The app enables users to collect and send water level data along with pictures of the water level gauge. Proper input validation ensures data accuracy, and users receive immediate feedback on the success of their submissions. For secure login, Waterwatch employs an OTP (One-Time Password) system, where an OTP is sent to the user’s registered phone number, requiring manual entry from the default SMS application, ensuring the user's identity and authorized access without reading SMS permissions.

In case of network issues, Waterwatch provides a fallback mechanism to transmit data via SMS. Users can send water level data in a specified format to a dedicated phone number, which is managed from the backend. Before sending SMS, the app explicitly asks for the user's permission, ensuring user consent for data transmission. Additionally, Waterwatch requests gallery access to allow users to choose and attach images from their device's gallery, enhancing the data submission with visual context. The app’s notification system enables the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) to send alerts and quality check notifications to specific users, ensuring proactive responses to potential hazards. Users can also manage and filter their data history, checking the success status of previous transmissions sent via HTTP or SMS.

Through these robust features, Waterwatch ensures accurate, reliable, and secure water level data collection and transmission, supporting the broader goals of SUFAL II to enhance disaster preparedness and response in flood-prone areas of Bangladesh. The app’s user-friendly design, comprehensive data management capabilities, and secure login process make it an essential tool for water monitoring and early warning systems