August 25, 2026  – Today, the Environmental Tech Lab (ETL)—a public-private collaboration between the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Partnership Fund for New York City—published a report detailing results from its third annual proof-of-concept program, which leverages innovation from the global tech sector to help DEP meet its most pressing challenges with new tools and approaches.

Environmental Tech Lab 2026 Proof of Concept Report

DEP manages and maintains New York City’s water and wastewater network, the nation’s largest, which provides approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents.

This year, ten companies were selected from 95 applications to collaborate with DEP to test solutions over the course of a minimally viable proof-of-concept. Each of the companies worked to support DEP’s objectives in one of two areas identified as critical by its staff—one focused on Operations Optimization & Analytics, and another on Emergency Response & Security.

The full report explores how each solution was implemented, early results, and the potential for future impact. A snapshot of each project is below.

Operations Optimization & Analytics Challenge

DEP sought tools to help operators make faster, better-informed decisions. The six selected companies tested solutions including vehicle-mounted LiDAR scanning and continuous methane sensing.

• Bluesonde deployed two low-maintenance water quality monitoring buoys at Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, generating real-time data points designed to replace resource-intensive manual sampling. (Bureau of Wastewater Treatment)

• Cyvl used vehicle-mounted AI and LiDAR sensors to scan the streetscape in Astoria, Queens, building a digital record of above-ground infrastructure like manholes, catch basins, roads, and signage to help coordinate maintenance and improve safety. (Bureau of Water & Sewer Operations)

• Nyad provided process engineers at the Newtown Creek and 26th Ward wastewater treatment plants with access to an AI co-pilot built specifically for wastewater, which features a chat tool for real-time decision support and computer vision model to analyze microbiology in wastewater. (Bureau of Wastewater Treatment)

• Sunfish deployed its autonomous underwater vehicle at New Croton Dam, inspecting a wall section and intake structure to detect invasive zebra mussels, which can compromise water quality and operations. (Bureau of Water Supply)

• TeamSolve aggregated wastewater treatment chemical cost and consumption data to forecast future costs and analyzed water supply maintenance work order data to identify assets with recurring failures and overdue maintenance. (Bureau of Water Supply; Bureau of Wastewater Treatment)

• TrelliSense installed a sensor at Wards Island Water Resource Recovery Facility that used laser beams to track methane that forms as the plant processes solid waste and can escape from the tanks. (Bureau of Wastewater Treatment & Office of Energy)

Emergency Response & Security Challenge

DEP sought tools to better detect and respond to construction and operational related risks. The four selected companies tested real-time pumps, mobile air treatment, sewer sensing, and AI-powered video surveillance.

• CarbonCLAIR utilized its mobile air treatment unit inside a tank at Bowery Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant during 19 days of active sandblasting and interior coating work, cutting airborne dust by 70% and removing 95% of harmful vapors and odors. (Bureau of Engineering Design & Construction)

• HighMark Building will deploy its clog-prevention system at a DEP wastewater pumping station in Tannersville, NY, a site where grease, wipes, and debris accumulation drives frequent clogs, emergency callouts, and costly manual cleanouts. (Bureau of Water Supply; project currently ongoing)

• ManholeMetrics installed 20 sensors that track water levels inside sewers across DEP sites in Staten Island, Tannersville, and Grahamsville, averaging 32 minutes per install, 95.7% connectivity, and no maintenance visits over eight weeks. (Bureau of Water & Sewer Operations)

• Monitoreal installed its AI-powered edge device into security cameras at a bridge construction site upstate in Cortlandt Manor and North River Water Resource Recovery Facility in Manhattan, identifying 80 confirmed cases of unauthorized access, with no false alarms once trained. (Bureau of Engineering Design & Construction; Bureau of Police & Security)

The ETL was launched in 2023 as one of the Partnership Fund’s three public-sector innovation labs, a cornerstone of its “technology in the public interest” strategy aimed at helping government agencies deliver services more effectively for the benefit of all New Yorkers who use them.

Maria Gotsch, President & CEO at the Partnership Fund for New York City, said, “These promising results demonstrate an impressive array of ways that DEP and other government agencies can leverage emerging technologies to improve the delivery of essential services. By giving talented entrepreneurs the opportunity to work in partnership with DEP’s experts, the Environmental Tech Lab and our other Innovations Labs identify practical solutions that can improve operations today while building a foundation for a stronger future.”

Lisa F. Garcia, DEP Commissioner, said, “As DEP builds the future of infrastructure for New York City, innovation must be at the core of our work. The Environmental Tech Lab is proving that public‑private collaboration can deliver real solutions to everyday challenges. This year’s proof‑of‑concept results show how cutting‑edge technologies can strengthen DEP’s ability to protect New Yorkers and ensure our complex systems remain resilient. By connecting forward‑thinking companies with our skilled staff, we are not only optimizing performance but also safeguarding the health of nearly 10 million residents who rely on us for clean water.”

Stacey Matlen, Senior Vice President of Innovation at the Partnership for New York City, said, “The Environmental Tech Lab continues to demonstrate the value of connecting public agencies with the innovation ecosystem. This year’s collaborations explored a diverse set of technologies that can improve efficiency, strengthen resilience, and support one of New York City's most vital public services. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with DEP to advance solutions that benefit New Yorkers for years to come.”

About the Environmental Tech Lab

The Environmental Tech Lab (ETL) launched in 2023, in partnership with New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), to apply new technology solutions to address critical challenges posed by climate change and the need to build a sustainable future for our water and wastewater systems.

The ETL is part of the Partnership Fund for New York City’s “Technology in the Public Interest” strategy which aims to invest in companies and programs that advance the application of new technologies to address urban challenges, including helping government agencies deliver services more effectively. In addition to the ETL, the Partnership Fund operates the Transit Tech Lab (TTL), established in 2018 in partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and expanded in 2019 to include NJ Transit, the NYC Department of Transportation, and the Port Authority of NY and NJ; and the Buildings Tech Lab (BTL), launched in 2024 in collaboration with the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB).

About the NYC Department of Environmental Protection

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.5 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP also protects the health and safety of New Yorkers by enforcing the Air and Noise Codes and asbestos rules. DEP has a robust capital program, with a planned $37 billion in investments over the next 10 years. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter.

About the Partnership Fund for New York City

The Partnership Fund for New York City is the $130 million investment arm of the Partnership for New York City, dedicated to mobilizing private sector resources and expertise to advance New York City’s standing as a global center of economic opportunity, upward mobility, and innovation. The Fund invests in entrepreneurs and innovators in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors who contribute to building a more vibrant and inclusive New York City economy. As an “evergreen” fund, realized gains are continuously reinvested. A key focus of the Fund is the application of new technology that serves the public interest.

The Partnership Fund Board is led by co-chairs Tarek Sherif and Neil Blumenthal. Maria Gotsch is the Fund’s President and CEO. More information about the Fund can be found at partnershipfundnyc.org.