Before a new water technology can hit the market, it has to survive real world conditions. Because lab testing cannot fully replicate the complexities of nature, innovators need real-world testing to prove their solutions can perform in demanding and unpredictable environments. Cleveland Water Alliance’s (CWA) testbed network bridges this gap, providing the specialized infrastructure and expertise required to navigate this critical stage of development.

CWA’s work is powered by our Smart Lake Erie Watershed (SLEW), the world’s largest digitally connected freshwater body, but our testbed network extends even further. We offer a comprehensive ecosystem that allows innovators to trial their tech across a variety of settings, connecting them directly with regional host partners to validate their solutions where they are needed most. As we gear up for our 2026 deployment season, CWA is proud to accelerate the path to market for vital water tech solutions addressing some of the world's most pressing water challenges.

The Reality of Real-World Testing

Taking a new technology out of the lab and into the field is a significantly complex undertaking. Testing in uncontrolled, outdoor environments remains one of the most complex and operationally challenging hurdles to bringing a product to market in the water sector. That is why CWA’s work is so crucial; we provide the specialized infrastructure and support necessary to navigate the logistics of real-world trialing. Throughout the season, CWA manages a wide range of variables, from selecting deployment host sites to navigating shipping logistics, dealing with extreme weather, and troubleshooting calibration and connectivity issues.

"The natural environment is highly unpredictable: you might face anything from a storm to an unexpected freeze. At CWA, we provide an ecosystem of collaborators so innovators can ‘stress test’ their solutions against those variables. A successful deployment is one where you learn something; it’s about gaining actionable takeaways on the real-world scenarios and potential issues that your end users could eventually face once your technology hits the market.” Emily Hamilton, Innovation Advocate and Deal Flow Analyst

To ease the process and mitigate risk for its partners, CWA provides essential support including:

• Hand-Selected Host Sites: Allowing innovators to trial in a wide range of environments based on the needs and concerns of their current or potential markets, as well as exploring new applications.
• Infrastructure & Connectivity: Leveraging a 7,750-square-mile telecommunications network.
• Logistical Support: Troubleshooting hardware, software, and maintenance issues on-site.
• End-User Feedback: Facilitating direct engagement with the stakeholders and operators who will ultimately utilize these technologies, providing critical insights for product refinements.
• Validation: Benchmarking against 200+ existing IoT sensors.
• Risk Management: Covering insurance for all technology deployments within the testbed.

2026 Technology Focus

The process of selecting featured technology for our 2026 deployment season is complete, and we are excited to see these innovations in action. Each season, we identify technology that addresses some of the most pressing issues in water management. This year’s featured tech includes advanced tools for the early detection of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), sensors designed to identify emerging contaminants, and monitoring solutions that are cheaper, more compact, and easier to use.

The scale of this year’s program reflects the growing global demand for our world-class innovation ecosystem.

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All Hands on Deck: Logistical Support

Executing a successful field season requires a coordinated effort from a dedicated team of technical experts and logistical partners. Our internal capabilities have expanded with Emily Hyland, CWA’s Testbed and Sensor Technician, entering her first full deployment season. A Master’s student at Cleveland State University with specialized expertise in imaging spectroscopy and phytoplankton research, Emily will help lead the technical execution and setup of these deployments.

Supporting these efforts is our key partner, Freeboard Technology, a subsidiary of LimnoTech. Freeboard Technology not only helps us deploy this cutting-edge technology, but also helps us maintain critical care of our sensing and monitoring system. Their expertise ensures that we are equipped to handle the physical demands of deployment, maintenance, and the inevitable troubleshooting that comes with testing technology in a dynamic environment.

When Do Deployments Begin?

While CWA expanded its horizons this past year with our first-ever winter deployments, our primary trialing and deployment period remains the spring and summer months. The season officially kicks off with our Spring Buoy Launch, where our fleet of "smart buoys" are returned to the lake to provide real-time data on water conditions, nutrients, and contaminants. Our buoys also serve as a primary platform for benchmarking emerging technologies side-by-side against proven sensors and data.

Providing the Path to Commercialization

The journey to commercialization is an inherently difficult process, often stalled by the logistical and financial hurdles of moving a new innovation out of the lab. Cleveland Water Alliance fills a critical gap in the water sector by providing a structured opportunity to trial and validate technology in demanding, real-world environments. Our testbed network has become a premier global destination for companies looking to accelerate their path to market, ensuring their solutions are truly ready for the complexities and specific needs of future customers. 

Throughout our 2026 deployment season, we’ll be providing an inside look at our field operations, highlighting some of the unique technologies we’re deploying, and sharing the key findings that emerge from their time in our testbeds.

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