Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the results of Phase Two of the Water Toxicity Sensor Challenge on June 20, 2024. Aqua Science, LLC emerged as the winner, receiving a prize of $105,000 for their innovative system, BioLight Toxy. This system uses a bioluminescent bacterium that responds when exposed to toxins in water.
“Congratulations to the winner of the Water Toxicity Sensor Challenge for advancing an innovative water technology that offers the promise of addressing a difficult environmental problem,” said Chris Frey, EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Research and Development. “The prize-winning technological solution has the potential to advance how we monitor and protect one of our most vital resources, ensuring the safety and sustainability of our water supplies.”
Contaminants such as pesticides, personal care products, and other chemical pollutants can increase toxicity in water, posing exposure concerns for humans and aquatic organisms. These chemicals can disrupt normal bodily functions like breathing and cause chronic diseases and harmful health effects. Existing methods to detect these contaminants are often costly and require specialized laboratories, personnel, and extensive time.
To improve methods for monitoring water toxicity, EPA and partners developed the Water Toxicity Sensor Challenge to encourage new solutions. The challenge consisted of two stages: concept design and prototype development. Phase One participants submitted written concepts explaining how their proposed systems could detect toxic pathways activation when exposed to various harmful chemicals or natural toxins.
During Phase Two, solvers submitted descriptions of prototype sensors along with initial testing results on their ability to detect toxicity in water. Finalists were selected based on criteria including quantitative data detection capability and ease of use. Finalists had their systems tested by an approved third-party evaluator for final prize consideration.
BioLight Toxy was selected based on both initial prototype data and third-party evaluation results. The system measures light levels emitted by a bacterium to determine sample toxicity. It was proposed by Iwona Evans, Owner/CEO of Aqua Science LLC in Newark, Delaware.
An honorable mention went to SCENTINEL, a prototype using a paper sensor containing bioluminescent bacteria developed by Professor Elisa Michelini from the Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician” at the University of Bologna in Italy. This device captures bioluminescence levels via smartphone after adding water samples to sensor wells.
The Water Toxicity Sensor Challenge is a collaborative effort involving several organizations: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; United States Geological Survey; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command; Greater Cincinnati Water Works; Water Environment Federation (WEF); and The Water Research Foundation.
