Grantee Research Project Results
Open source, networked sensors for lead monitoring
EPA Grant Number: SU840415Title: Open source, networked sensors for lead monitoring
Investigators: Pennock, William , Basuray, Sagnik , Warholak, Michael , Kutzing, Sandra , Ahmad, Afaq , Pennock, Andrew , Rios, Lara , Brzostek, Michael
Current Investigators: Pennock, William , Basuray, Sagnik , Warholak, Michael , Kutzing, Sandra , Ahmad, Afaq , Pennock, Andrew , Rios, Lara , Brzostek, Michael , Burns, Mark , Pong, Philip , Talebi, Maryam , Shah, Eishah
Institution: New Jersey Institute of Technology
EPA Project Officer: Harper, Jacquelyn
Phase: I
Project Period: July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 (Extended to June 30, 2025)
Project Amount: $24,982
RFA: 18th Annual P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2021) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources
Objective:
The city of Newark, NJ has been in headlines since 2016 due to elevated lead levels in drinking water. In response, Newark has replaced the majority oflead service lines implicated in the lead release. However, even after the replacement of lead service lines, lead precipitates originating from the lead service lines can persist in premise plumbing, remaining a threat to human health, especially for children. Lead service lines were widely employed throughout the area surrounding Newark and in other parts of New Jersey, notably around Trenton and Camden. As a result, real-time monitoring of lead concentrations in the plumbing of these key urban centers in New Jersey will be important for the next several years, especially as the proposed Lead and Copper Rule will set stricter sampling procedures and a lower trigger level that will require more municipalities to address their lead service lines and plumbing. Monitoring lead concentrations in real time within vulnerable households and institutions is not routinely done. Lead levels are generally measured by talcing first draw and flush samples at an end-point and testing the sample at a lab by inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Colorimetric sensors have been developed for immediate readings, but these, too, require someone to physically take a sample. Potentialmetric sensors have shown promise, but require periodic calibration and have a lifetime measured in weeks. In 2017, researchers at the University of Michigan put forth a simple platinum electrode design that works by reducing and precipitating heavy metals at the gap between the electrodes and measuring the resulting change in impedance. The advantages of this sensor are that it can run continuously and self-clean.
The aforementioned lead sensor was tested at two gap widths and one voltage. There is indication that research to optimize these two parameters may result in higher sensitivity, as the sensor was reported to have a response time of a few days in the form described in the paper. In tandem with experimental work to improve upon the sensor, a team will develop a low cost, open source sensor module capable of reporting measurements wirelessly. The Phase I project will be to create a prototype that can be produced at scale in a later phase so that vulnerable systems in New Jersey's urban centers are able to get frequent, affordable lead readings.
Approach:
This project will conduct research to increase the sensitivity of a previously proposed sensor that shows promise for providing continuous measurement of lead levels in premise plumbing. The project team comprises two graduate and two undergraduate students, providing first-time research experience for the undergraduates. The undergraduate students are alumni of a local high school (Bloomfield High School), and will mentor high school students to develop the sensor module housing. The project will be developed with the goal of reporting summary data to Newark Sewer & Water and CDM Smith to inform their decision-making.
Expected Results:
data from the sensor will be developed. Additionally, a complete design for a microcontroller assembly, capable of recording and transmitting impedance data will be produced, along with infrastructure to collect and process the data. Lastly, a housing that is readily added to existing plumbing will be designed for the sensor module. Completion of the module design and demonstration that it can accurately report lead concentrations in tap water (based on a pipe loop experiment and in collaboration with CDM Smith) will be indications of a successful project and of the beginning of the next phase: producing sensor modules at scale.
Contribution to Pollution Prevention or Control
With more frequent data on lead levels within premise plumbing, water authorities can make more real-time decisions on when to flush water lines, adjust corrosion control, or shut down for system maintenance.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 1 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Environmental justice; urban water planning; drinking water; lead detection; platinum electrode sensor; premise plumbing; lead service lineProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.