Our Fall 2026 Tech Challenge is Open!
Water utilities are shifting from periodic lab testing to continuous, distributed sensing, but reagent-dependent instruments don't scale. Consumable logistics, calibration drift, chemical waste and per-unit cost become prohibitive at hundreds/thousands of points. PFAS compliance, lead line verification and non-revenue water/asset-health programs demand more distributed data.
The Water Council is seeking sensing tech that works in real water, needs no consumed reagents, and is priced for distributed deployment vs. centralized lab use.
Join us Sept. 15 for an informational webinar!
Deadline: Oct. 2, 2026
Learn how winning the Tech Challenge has helped these companies:
Put Your Innovation in Front of Global Industry Leaders
The Tech Challenge is a direct bridge between your breakthrough technology and the world’s most innovative water users. Twice a year, we launch topic-specific challenges designed to find – and fund – the next generation of water tech.
Why Apply? As a finalist, you skip the gatekeepers and present directly to the R&D teams of our corporate sponsors. This is your chance to compete for:
- Up to $10,000 in Non-Dilutive Funding: Seed money to fuel your next milestone.
- Elite Corporate Feedback: Get direct technical critiques from the engineers who define the industry.
- Strategic Partnerships: Unlock opportunities for licensing, investment or joint ventures with global giants.
Join in Leading the Innovation Agenda
Join the industry’s most influential companies in shaping the future of water technology. By sponsoring a Tech Challenge, you position your brand at the center of the global water ecosystem and get first-look access to up-and-coming tech.
Tech Challenge Sponsors
Is Your Company Interested in Accelerating R&D?
Consider becoming a tech challenge sponsor!
Check out our Frequently asked questions.
