Milwaukee-based startup Solar Water Works and Veolia Water Milwaukee/OptiRTC, Inc. have been selected to participate in The Water Council’s Pilot Program.
The Fund for Lake Michigan and MMSD have pledged $600,000 over the next two years to fuel the program that will give the startups the opportunity to test and validate their products in the real world.
Solar Water Works‘ Doug Winkie designed a device to remove contaminants from water – everything from bacteria to viruses and chemicals.
Winkie’s compact creation relies on two solar panels. One generates the power needed to pump water up into the system; the other collects UV light. As the water flows over that panel, the UV light purifies it.
Winkie has spent three years developing his system and now the Water Council’s Pilot Program could catapult him closer to taking his product to market.