Ohio became the focus of global news in February 2023 when a train carrying hazardous material derailed in East Palestine, just north of the Ohio River. The unfortunate events cast a harsh and undeniable spotlight on the urgent need for proactive, real-time water quality monitoring and management. 

While conversations around Ohio’s water economy often center Lake Erie, it’s crucial to acknowledge the significance of the Ohio River Basin as well. This sprawling network of over 600,000 stream miles serves as a drinking water source for five million people across 14 states. Yet, much of the critical monitoring in this region has largely been manual, leaving gaps in the ability to swiftly respond to challenges and understand the constant shifts in water quality. 

That's why Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA) is proud to announce its expansion of our smart water network into the Ohio River Valley. CWA has started a new project in partnership with ORSANCO, Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati, Greater Cincinnati Water Works, and Thomas More University. Thanks to key funding from the State of Ohio, this expansion marks a pivotal step in connecting previously siloed institutions within Ohio’s water economy and providing more critical data points for communities across the state. Scaling CWA’s efforts throughout the state is a testament to Ohio’s leadership on the global water economy stage, the power of collaboration, and the shared vision for a more resilient and data-driven approach to water management.

Key Partners

This new project is led by Ebie Holst, CWA’s Director of Clusters & Innovation. Ebie shares the strategic vision behind this significant expansion into the Ohio River Valley:

"Expanding our smart water network into the Ohio River Valley was a clear next step, given its critical economic importance to eight states. ORSANCO was our first key partner in bringing this vision to life, and we're incredibly excited to bring the benefits of real-time digital monitoring to these new stakeholders. This project not only provides vital data but also significantly expands testbed opportunities for innovators to trial their solutions in a major river system and with a wider array of partners. It's the first pivotal move in our ongoing efforts to expand our smart water footprint."

This project is a testament to multi-sector collaboration, bringing together key leaders from across the Ohio River Valley. Each partner brings unique expertise and perspective, creating a powerful synergy that will continue to drive innovation and promote lasting growth for Ohio’s water economy.

ORSANCO 

Our partnership with the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) is central to this expansion. Formed in 1948, ORSANCO is a multi-state compact agency with a vital mission: to monitor and protect the Ohio River and its tributaries, ensuring it remains fishable, swimmable, and a safe source for drinking water after treatment.

ORSANCO's work includes setting wastewater discharge standards, performing biological assessments, and monitoring the chemical and physical properties of waterways. Beyond routine monitoring, ORSANCO also coordinates emergency response activities for spills or accidental discharges to the river.

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Greg also noted the strategic value of the project's locations, particularly the use of monitoring systems both upstream and downstream of a major metropolitan area like Cincinnati, and within key tributaries. This enables ORSANCO to gain deeper insights into the dynamic effects of urban areas and diverse water bodies on the main stem of the Ohio River.

This collaboration leverages CWA's technological expertise with ORSANCO's extensive regional knowledge, allowing them to further enhance their critical work in safeguarding the Ohio River. ORSANCO was instrumental in connecting Cleveland Water Alliance with other key partners in the area, including Thomas More University, helping to build the robust local network necessary for this project's success.

Thomas More University

The Thomas More University Biology Field Station, located directly on the banks of the Ohio River, is a hub for immersive learning, undergraduate research, and K-12 STEM outreach. This partnership not only expands our monitoring network but also fosters vital workforce development.

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The collaboration will provide students with invaluable hands-on experience with cutting-edge smart water monitoring technology, preparing them for future careers in the rapidly evolving water sector. As Chris Lorentz noted, "The background on ecology and the river, we can provide that, but what we can't do and what you all fill is that instrumentation technology, bringing this new technology to practice and that is a really unique facet for us and complements what we can do here." The grant supporting this project will specifically provide the faculty and students with the training and technology to manage, deploy, and maintain this advanced monitoring equipment, benefiting stakeholders across the Greater Cincinnati region and equipping the next generation with the smart water technology and knowledge needed to ensure Ohio remains competitive in this rapidly evolving sector. 

Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati

The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati plays a vital role in protecting public health and the environment for the region, managing nine wastewater treatment plants and an extensive 3,000-mile sewer network. This partnership with Cleveland Water Alliance brings a new layer of real-time monitoring directly to their operations. CWA, in collaboration with Freeboard Technology and LimnoTech, installed a sensor at the Mill Creek watershed. Scott Bessler, Superintendent of the Compliance Services Division at MSDGC, shared:

“That sensor that sits there, which dangles down into Mill Creek is continuously monitoring, any of the stuff that's going on above that, whether it be stormwater influence, whether it's our combined sewer overflows that are coming down by it, it's monitoring that in real-time, which is something we did not have prior to this. And that's very exciting to me.”

This newfound real-time visibility into Mill Creek empowers MSDGC to better understand and proactively manage impacts from stormwater and combined sewer overflows.

Greater Cincinnati Water Works

Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) is a large regional drinking water utility, responsible for providing safe, high-quality drinking water to the Greater Cincinnati area. Their intake is directly on the Ohio River, making them a critical stakeholder in monitoring its health. GCWW has worked with CWA on other initiatives, like the Lead Service Line Open Innovation challenge. This new project will provide them with enhanced, real-time insights into their source water, crucial for ensuring public health and safety. 

Freeboard Technology

Central to the deployment and ongoing success of CWA’s smart water network is our collaboration with Freeboard Technology. As an Ohio-based spinout of LimnoTech, Freeboard Technology emerged from the demand for smart, connected water monitoring systems, a need they recognized firsthand while helping CWA build the Smart Lake Erie Watershed (SLEW) network. They blend proven and emerging technologies to monitor and forecast conditions critical for addressing climate change impacts, nutrient runoff, toxic algae, and more. We are proud to have Freeboard Technology as a key partner and a tenant in our offices, actively contributing to and helping advance innovation in Ohio's water economy.

Furthering Ohio’s Leadership within the Water Economy

This expansion into the Ohio River Valley is more than just adding sensors; it's about advancing Ohio's leadership in the global water economy. By deploying dozens of sensors and expanding telemetry coverage by nearly 100 square miles in the Greater Cincinnati area, we are creating a more robust, integrated, and responsive water intelligence system across the state. We are excited to continue this expansion and further our work, building out this critical infrastructure throughout Ohio. This project will:

• Connect Innovation Ecosystems: By engaging the innovation ecosystem in Cincinnati, including tech startups from Alloy Accelerating, EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD), and Prodigy, we are further connecting Ohio’s resources and maximizing the state’s potential.
• Enhance Data for All Communities: The real-time data collected will provide early warning systems, support disaster response efforts, and offer recreational updates for communities throughout the Ohio River Valley, providing continuous, reliable data even in times of uncertain federal funding.
• Expand Testbed Opportunities: This broader network offers new areas for water technology companies to test, trial, and demonstrate their cutting-edge solutions in diverse freshwater environments, fostering further innovation and positioning Ohio as a leading destination for water economy businesses.
• Foster Workforce Development: As seen with Thomas More University, this project directly contributes to developing the next generation of skilled water professionals, ensuring a robust talent pipeline for Ohio's growing water sector.

This collaborative effort, supported by funding from the State of Ohio, underscores Cleveland Water Alliance's commitment to fostering economic impact throughout the state, accelerating market-driven innovation, and generating sustainable solutions for regional and global water challenges. We are proud to be working with ORSANCO, Thomas More University, Greater Cincinnati Water Works, and Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati to enter a new era of smart water stewardship for the entire state of Ohio.