In our market analysis we have identified nitrate/nutrients as a key challenge in water pollution which cause damage to a many part of the world. In Europe, 80 % of its fresh water has periods with too high nitrate values which is critical to the environment. Today a good quality nitrate sensor with low recalibration requirements costs around 7-15 000 USD.
Sources of in-water nutrient pollution are widespread and include stormwater, wastewater, agricultural runoff, atmospheric deposition (e.g. from combustion of fossil fuels), and household sources (e.g. yard fertilizers, pet waste, detergents). Growing awareness of nutrient pollution and the need to find solutions is increasing interest in using location-specific in-water nutrient measurements to prioritize nutrient problems, identify their sources, compare and validate response options, verify compliance with nutrient discharge limits, and “score” water quality trades, offsets, and credits. Nutrient measurements are also used to make internal operating and management decisions involving flow rates and treatment levels at wastewater and drinking water facilities and in various types of agricultural and industrial operations.
Currently available methods of measuring in-water nutrients are based either on simple test kits which are fast and inexpensive, but too imprecise for most purposes; on water sampling and laboratory analyses which are accurate and precise, but cumbersome, time consuming, and expensive; or on in-water sensors and analyzers. Use of currently available in-water sensors has not been widespread because of their complexity, technical demands, reliability, and purchase and operating costs, as well as lag times in laboratory analysis. Market prices of currently available in-water sensor systems are in the range of $7000 to $15,000, field deployments are limited to a few weeks, and an advanced level of training is required to operate them effectively.
It is generally recognized that high cost but reliable measures of nutrients in water improves decision making in many places where these decisions are critical. As a result, large potential markets are expected to exist for new methods of producing accurate, precise water nutrient measurements at a reasonable price.
Preliminary assessments from US in 2017, of existing markets related to Federal, state, university, industrial, agricultural, and non-profit research and monitoring needs suggest that overall demand for good quality water nutrient sensors, over the next five years, will be 24,000 to 30,000 units. At an average market price of $5,000 per unit, this constitutes a potential U.S. market of $120 million to $150 million. We know that challenge and demand in Europe and Asia is similar we have seen that volume in Europe fits well with US based on area and population. The market in Europe is estimated to be equal to the US market.
Information from both Nothern America and Europe clearly say that if a high-quality nitrate sensor with a price less than 5000 USD is available this will lead to a much better real time monitoring and early warning of nitrate pollution. This will have a huge positive affect on the environment, wildlife, humans, agriculture and wastewater treatment.
In addition to the nutrient sensor, the chemical sensors we provide constitute a new technology that there is no rival to. The technology that is being developed by the consortium will make it available to measure carcinogenic material directly in water and play a major role in enhancing decision making and act as an alarm system when contamination incidents are present.
