2023 CHALLENGE

2023 CHALLENGE

2023 CHALLENGE

Operational Efficiency Challenge

Operational Efficiency Challenge

Operational Efficiency Challenge

How can DEP enhance its management of assets via improved operational efficiencies and predictive maintenance?

How can DEP enhance its management of assets via improved operational efficiencies and predictive maintenance?

How can DEP enhance its management of assets via improved operational efficiencies and predictive maintenance?

Mother and child drinking water from a New York City water fountain
Sunset over the Ashokan Reservoir in New York
Mother and child drinking water from a New York City water fountain
Sunset over the Ashokan Reservoir in New York
Mother and child drinking water from a New York City water fountain
Sunset over the Ashokan Reservoir in New York

Challenge Finalists

Challenge Finalists

Challenge Finalists

Gybe

Portland, United States

Automatically monitors a variety of water quality parameters across entire Watersheds, Lakes, Rivers and Coastal areas, using data from satellites and non-contact hyperspectral sensors, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.

Knaq

New York City, United States

Uses non-invasive hardware installed on industrial equipment coupled with a software platform to provide real time data, alerting, and predictive maintenance recommendations.

Near Space Labs

Brooklyn, United States

Flies proprietary zero-emission robots to the stratosphere to capture, process, and deliver high-quality earth imagery to augment infrastructure resiliency initiatives.

SENTRY

Charlottetown, Canada

Utilizes a bio-electrode sensor platform to provide real-time, reliable wastewater quality data. These sensors accurately monitor the strength of incoming wastewater and allow operations to save costs by reducing energy and chemical use.

SewerAI

Walnut Creek, United States

Streamlines workflows using artificial intelligence to review CCTV videos of pipes, modelling manholes with 3D technology, and automating data quality control (QC). This frees up talented engineers to spend less time on tedious manual tasks and more time on what matters most - prioritizing fixes and ensuring a healthy future for the community.

VAPAR

Sydney, Australia

Creating the fastest way to the right sewer pipe repair decision – using deep learning to find defects in sewer pipes inspection videos and standardizing follow on repair decisions.

Technologies may include, but are not limited to solving the following use cases

Technologies may include, but are not limited to solving the following use cases

Technologies may include, but are not limited to solving the following use cases

Predictive Analytics & Asset Monitoring 

  • Pipe Failures 

  • Water Main Breaks 

  • Dosing Changes 

  • Stormwater Backflow 

  • Predictive Water Storage

Chemical Compound Identity & Composition Analytics

  • Understanding lead service line material 

  • Optimizing disparate sources of data to balance water supply dosing rates

Vehicle/Fleet Utilization Tools

  • Optimize EV fleet conversion 

  • Fleet reservation system

Maintenance Management Tools

  • Rain garden asset management tools

Continuous Data Capture

  • Improved water quality sensors

Tools for Pollutant Removal

  • Better solutions to hydrodynamic separators/vortex technology

Stormwater Backflow Solutions

  • Alternatives to pumps

Information Session

Information Session

Information Session

Learn more about the Environmental Tech Lab, the application process, and hear from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection.

Learn more about the Environmental Tech Lab, the application process, and hear from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection.

Learn more about the Environmental Tech Lab, the application process, and hear from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection.

DOWNLOAD THE DECK

How the Lab Works

How the Lab Works

How the Lab Works

The Environmental Tech Lab is a collaboration between the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New York City Partnership Foundation, the nonprofit affiliate of Partnership Fund for New York City. 

We provide companies with expedited paths to testing, expert feedback, access to key decision makers from DEP, and an accelerated go/no-go decision. Companies with exceptional use cases will be selected for a yearlong pilot with the agency.

The Environmental Tech Lab is a collaboration between the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New York City Partnership Foundation, the nonprofit affiliate of Partnership Fund for New York City. 

We provide companies with expedited paths to testing, expert feedback, access to key decision makers from DEP, and an accelerated go/no-go decision. Companies with exceptional use cases will be selected for a yearlong pilot with the agency.

The Environmental Tech Lab is a collaboration between the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New York City Partnership Foundation, the nonprofit affiliate of Partnership Fund for New York City. 

We provide companies with expedited paths to testing, expert feedback, access to key decision makers from DEP, and an accelerated go/no-go decision. Companies with exceptional use cases will be selected for a yearlong pilot with the agency.

Timeline

Timeline

Timeline

August 23, 2023

August 23, 2023

August 23, 2023

Applications due

Applications due

Applications due

September 20-22, 2023

September 20-22, 2023

September 20-22, 2023

Pitch & demo day (in-person event)

Pitch & demo day (in-person event)

Pitch & demo day (in-person event)

October 23, 2023

October 23, 2023

October 23, 2023

Proof-of-concept begins

Proof-of-concept begins

Proof-of-concept begins

November 6-10, 2023

November 6-10, 2023

November 6-10, 2023

Mid-point check-ins and leadership meetings

Mid-point check-ins and leadership meetings

Mid-point check-ins and leadership meetings

December 18-20, 2023

December 18-20, 2023

December 18-20, 2023

Final presentations and pilot selections (in-person event)

Final presentations and pilot selections (in-person event)

Final presentations and pilot selections (in-person event)

April 1, 2024

April 1, 2024

April 1, 2024

One-year pilots begin

One-year pilots begin

One-year pilots begin

Terms & Conditions

Please review our Terms & Conditions which govern participation in the Environmental Tech Lab. 

Please review our Terms & Conditions which govern participation in the Environmental Tech Lab.