SDTC investment supports WWTP cleantech
December 14, 2021
By CCE
The federal funding is part of an effort to meet 2030 climate commitments.
Photo courtesy Sentry Water Monitoring.
The federal ministry of innovation, science and industry recently announced an investment of $1.9 million—through Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC)—in Charlottetown-based Island Water Technologies’ Sentry Water Monitoring business.
Sentry has developed bioelectrochemical sensors for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The sensors are designed to monitor microbial health in real time, even under difficult wastewater conditions. By continuously monitoring biological data, they aim to minimize negative impacts on plant performance and resulting water quality.
The new funding, part of an overall federal effort to meet 2030 climate commitments, will be used to enhance this technology further and thus help optimize WWTP performance and protect aquatic environments.
“This investment will enable Sentry Water Monitoring to rapidly accelerate and commercialize their cleantech,” says Leah Lawrence, president and CEO of SDTC, an independent federal foundation that funds companies with the potential to become leaders in environmental technologies.
“SDTC will help accelerate the use of our technology in the circular economy by helping WWTPs save 20% on energy costs or generate 20% more energy from renewable biogas,” explains Patrick Kiely, CEO of Sentry.
Island Water Technologies’ other businesses include Regen, which develops composite polymer materials to increase productivity for decentralized membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) wastewater treatment, and ClearPod, which uses fixed-film aeration to improve water quality and leach field performance for septic systems.
