CHAPTER ONE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROND
Water resources management is as important as life management these days since water is an important element to life. Water is used in many ways, such as agriculture, industry and in households.  In practice are known many types of level control that can be done. But the most common ones are those with overflow control used to prevent exceeding the maximum level that a storage tank can hold and those with fully drain for preventing the pomp to work without liquid.
Low power control systems are based on a specialized sensor and are very simple but must take the consideration the pumps power and the power that the sensor can switch. Some types of water level control systems can be enumerated as follows:
Water level control systems using programmable logic controller and industrial wireless modules for industrial plants, in this system the process variable is the water level from a tank. The Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) starts the pump when the water level is minimum and allows it to run until the water reaches the maximum level.
Water level control systems using microcontrollers. This type of system simply starts the pump when the water level is minimum and allows it to run until it is reached the maximum level in the tank. Audio visual alarms at desired levels can be used in the system.
Water level control systems using a wireless fluid level measurement technique. In this system the fluid level sensor is a magnetic field response sensor.
Water level control systems based on fuzzy logic, water level is controlled using SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition System).
In this project, a PIC Microcontroller was used with a program written into it to enable it control the Motor that turns ON/OFF the water pump, also sends a signal of display to an LCD screen to indicate the level or quantity of water available in an overhead tank. The Water Level Sensing Section senses the level of water in the tank and sends signal to the Receiver Section. Receiver Section is connected to the Controlling Section, which process the received information and produces visual, sound indications and controls the operation of the motor whenever required.
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT
Since water is an indispensable substance to all living things due to its usability and link to man’s existence, provision of large volume of waters is essential due to its significance, which therefore called for a means through which sufficient, and good quality water can be obtained. This problem is related to poor water allocation, inefficient use, and lack of adequate and integrated water management. Therefore, the use of a computerized water level controller using water level sensing technologies to sense level of water in an overhead tank and turn on or off the water pump in order to eliminate water wastage during pumping and to care for future need for large volumes of water.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The main aim of this project is to develop a microcontroller-based system to achieve some objectives. The specific objectives are;
i.    To design an affordable low cost water pump control system.
ii.    To develop a software to be implemented on the system.
iii.    To help ease work for water pump owners.
iv.    To control wastage and scarcity of water in homes.
v.    To help in studying the water level in an overhead tank by displaying the levels on an LCD screen
vi.    Avoiding shocks that are introduced in the network when the pump is started.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The importance of this research work is to avoid wastage or scarcity of water and display of the level of water in the tank on an LCD screen for the users to see. It therefore, eases work for owners, since user do not have to always monitor water level and manually turn ON/OFF the water pump. The research will also be of added advantage to owners that might not be available when there is electricity, as it can automatically turn ON/OFF the water pump without human interference.