To help meet the need for better ways to monitor toxicity in water, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its Challenge partners are launching the prototype portion of the Water Toxicity Sensor Challenge.  The Partners include EPA, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC), the Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW), the Water Research Foundation (WRF), and the Water Environment Federation (WEF). 

For this Challenge, solvers are being asked to develop a prototype sensor and demonstrate its ability to detect a response to toxicity due to the presence of one or more contaminants at concentrations relevant to human health effects.  The prototype sensor should detect toxicity faster and cheaper than current methods. 

Solvers are invited to submit written solutions to be reviewed and evaluated. Submissions that meet the requirements will be required to conduct third-party testing to be selected as a winner.

This challenge is the second phase of EPA’s Water Toxicity Sensor Challenge. Phase 2 of this challenge is open to everyone, including Phase 1 winners. You can learn more about Phase 1 of this challenge and the winners of Phase 1 on this webpage. 

 Application Deadline: Applications for this Challenge must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on September 30, 2023.

Announcement: https://www.epa.gov/innovation/water-toxicity-sensor-challenge-phase-2