Ecoweir hybrid nature-based urban stormwater treatment technology
ecoWEIR is a patented, smart-sensored hybrid blue technology that integrates grey and green infrastructure into a modular sealed system for urban stormwater treatment. It actively controls retention times and soil conditions to maximize nitrogen and phosphorus removal, with demonstrated 88% N and 100% P removal for urban runoff and 99% N and 99% P removal for septic effluent, while enabling water storage and reuse.
Overview
ecoWEIR is a patented (2017) hybrid blue technology designed for urban stormwater treatment that intelligently integrates grey and green infrastructure into a single modular sealed system. By actively controlling water retention times and soil conditions, ecoWEIR maximizes nutrient removal while enabling water storage and reuse. The technology addresses the growing need for effective, space-efficient stormwater management in urban environments where traditional treatment approaches are often inadequate.
Technical specifications
Core technology features:
- Smart-sensored system that actively monitors and controls green infrastructure functionality
- Modular sealed design integrating grey and green infrastructure components
- Controlled water retention times to optimize biological and chemical treatment processes
- Managed soil conditions to enhance treatment performance
- Built-in water storage and reuse capability
- Demonstrated nitrogen removal of 88% for urban runoff after 24 hours of treatment
- Demonstrated phosphorus removal of 100% for urban runoff after 24 hours of treatment
- Demonstrated nitrogen removal of 99% for septic effluent after 72 hours of treatment
- Demonstrated phosphorus removal of 99% for septic effluent after 72 hours of treatment
Target applications:
- Urban stormwater runoff treatment
- Septic effluent treatment
- Water reuse and storage in urban settings
- Municipal water quality improvement
Technology readiness level
ecoWEIR has been validated through numerous laboratory studies demonstrating significant and consistent removal efficiencies for both urban stormwater runoff and septic effluent. The technology is currently advancing to in-situ test bed studies on the Brooklyn College campus, where high-frequency sensor observations and discrete measurements will monitor system response and performance under varying experimental conditions. This 9-month validation phase will further assess the technology's robustness across multiple simulated rain and stormwater runoff events. Funding for test bed construction has already been secured, and the team is seeking partnership support for analytical equipment, supplies, and key personnel funding to complete the validation work.
About Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College is a public liberal arts college within the City University of New York, serving a large, diverse student body on an urban campus. Corporate partners engage through shared CUNY core facilities, co-located labs, and access to incubators and research parks across New York City. The location enables agile sponsored research agreements, student internships, and workforce pipelines, with ready access to government agencies and a broad corporate base. Research is supported by competitive federal funding such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, alongside state, city, and philanthropic sponsors. A centralized CUNY technology transfer office supports IP, licensing, and startup formation.
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