Optiqua Technologies Project AquaSHIELD Awarded Grant From EU H2020 SME Instrument

Optiqua Technologies has been awarded a grant from the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 SME Instrument for the development of a unique water quality firewall solution called AquaSHIELD. The AquaSHIELD solution will combine 24/7 online and real-time event detection with high spec analytical capabilities for the rapid screening of water for the presence of multiple substances. Aimed at water security and smart water network applications, the firewall will provide an affordable platform suitable for deployment in a distributed network in the field as well as a mobile system, and for operation by non-specialist personnel.

The AquaSHIELD concept is based on two established water quality monitoring products of Optiqua, and will make use of the company’s patented and awarded optical sensor technology. Optiqua’s online water quality monitoring solution EventLab will provide the real-time detection capabilities for contamination events in the distribution grid, while the MiniLab technology will provide the rapid and automated screening capability for a set of specific target compounds. The use of a network approach provides important added information, such as localisation and tracing of contamination events. Integration into the AquaSHIELD firewall solution will provide utilities with a unique tool to continuously monitor their network for any water quality related issues and to optimize the drinking water distribution process.

The H2020 SME Instrument helps high-potential SMEs to bring ground breaking innovative ideas to the global market. Said Jos-Willem Verhoef, Managing Director at Optiqua Technologies: “The AquaSHIELD product is a concept that will build on the success of our current EventLab and Minilab product lines, and will take it one step further as a fully integrated water quality firewall concept. This Horizon 2020 grant is an important recognition because a panel of international experts is confirming that our water quality monitoring solutions will be part of the water company of the future”.

About Optiqua
Optiqua Technologies develops innovative tools for online and sample based water quality monitoring. All Optiqua products leverage our award winning and patented lab-on-chip sensor technology, offering highly sensitive real-time detection in multiple sensor applications.

Optiqua’s applications include the real-time online monitoring of water distribution grids, the protection of critical assets and rapid detection of specific target contaminants. Based in The Netherlands and Singapore, we serve international drinking water companies and communities to safeguard the distribution of safe drinking water.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 666490.

For more information, visit www.optiqua.com.