Abstract:
Freshwater is a vital necessity for accommodation on board ships, used for drinking,
bathing, and sanitation. To maintain its quality, a monitoring system is required to
measure key parameters such as pH and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). This study aims
to design and develop a freshwater quality monitoring system based on the ATmega328P
microcontroller (Arduino UNO), utilizing the pH-4502C sensor and TDS Meter V1.0. The
system is built to provide real-time readings of water quality parameters displayed on a
16x2 LCD, and it includes a buzzer alarm to alert users when values fall outside the
normal range. The method used in this study is Research and Development (R&D),
involving stages such as needs observation, system design, testing, expert validation, and
user evaluation. Data was collected through direct observation aboard MV. Federal
Osaka and testing of different water samples including salt water, municipal water, and
distilled water. The test results show that the device is capable of accurately reading pH
values within the 6.5–8.5 range and TDS levels below 300 ppm. Validation from both
experts and users indicated an eligibility rating above 88%, demonstrating the system's
practicality and suitability for onboard application. In conclusion, this monitoring system
is effective, cost-efficient, and feasible for implementation on ships to help maintain the
quality of accommodation freshwater and improve the health and comfort of the crew.
