InnoCentive launches challenge to seek ideas for monitoring sewer overflows

InnoCentive has launched a water sensor challenge to seek ideas for new low-cost, low-maintenance sensors capable of the real-time monitoring of sewer overflows.

The $10,000 challenge, Real-Time Sensor to Monitor Sewer Overflows, also aims to characterise the impact of wet weather on urban sewers.

It is being run jointly by Cincinnati Innovates, the EPA, the Cincinnati Metropolitan Sewer District and Northern Kentucky Sewer District 1.

Real-time information is crucial to cutting down sewer overflows in urban areas. However, data collection efforts in the areas can become inefficient and unsuccessful due to a lack of cost-effective technologies to monitor such overflows.

EPA environmental technology innovation cluster program director Sally Gutierrez said: "This Challenge is a great way to engage members of the water technology sector to foster collaboration, innovation and create economic opportunity, while solving current, pressing human health and environmental issues like water pollution."

Prospective challenge solvers are encouraged to consider similar sensors already being used in other applications or industries, that could be amended to monitor overflow.

The solvers could also suggest ideas for a brand new generation of sensors which provide a clear advantage compared to existing technologies.

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Image: US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) headquarters in Washington, DC. Photo: courtesy of Coolcaesar.