ENVIRONMENTAL TECH LAB / NYC DEP
Challenge & lane
Why early warning matters for NYC water infrastructure
CHALLENGE 2 • 1 / 4
THE CHALLENGE
DEP manages vast underground and stormwater infrastructure. Without reliable field measurements, problems can remain hidden until flooding, an overflow, or infrastructure failure occurs.
MY SCOUTING LANE
Water Supply & Environmental Field Monitoring: low-maintenance water-level sensors, rain gauges, and flood intelligence for cloudburst and green-infrastructure sites.
Sourced globally, US-first.
Named DEP need: cloudburst / GI monitoring — low-cost water-level sensors and co-located rain gauges.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECH LAB / NYC DEP
#1 Hohonu
Advance for deeper review • HIGH relevance
CHALLENGE 2 • 2 / 4
WHAT IT DOES
Solar-powered, cellular-connected water-level sensors and dashboards that help public agencies see flooding as it develops.
DEP need: cloudburst / green-infrastructure water-level monitoring.
STRONGEST PROOF
Pinellas County, Florida deployed 13 sensors across flood-risk sites and integrated readings into ArcGIS dashboards with five-minute refreshes.
Why #1: strongest published combination of direct sensor fit, named municipal deployment, and practical integration.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECH LAB / NYC DEP
#2 and #3 Other promising candidates
Both warrant further diligence before an ETL eligibility sign-off
CHALLENGE 2 • 3 / 4
#2 StormSensor • HIGH fit
Stormwater monitoring networks and software for municipal drainage and sewer systems.
Evidence: its MIT Solve application names municipal work in Jersey City, Detroit and Philadelphia.
Below #1: deployment evidence is older; current independence, operations and customer status need re-checking.
#3 FloodMapp • MEDIUM fit
Live flood prediction and mapping software using rainfall and gauge feeds; not primarily a field-sensor maker.
Evidence: company publishes case studies for government and infrastructure users.
Below #1: indirect fit to the specific low-cost sensor + rain-gauge need.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECH LAB / NYC DEP
Recommendation: advance Hohonu
A narrow, evidence-led next step — not a claim of final ETL approval
CHALLENGE 2 • 4 / 4
WHY THIS COMPANY
Directly addresses the water-level monitoring half of DEP’s cloudburst / GI need.
The Pinellas County deployment shows the product working in a real municipal environment with an operational GIS connection.
Recommend a technical and eligibility follow-up, then consider a focused DEP pilot.
CHECK BEFORE OUTREACH
1. Verify current independent/private ownership and full §3a gate.
2. Confirm rain-gauge pairing and green-infrastructure suitability.
3. Check the shared sourcing board / exclusion list for prior entry.
4. Leave §3b (US data storage, NY registration) to PFNYC.
Research shortlist, not three verified dashboard entries. No claim that these companies are new to the cohort.