A pioneering innovation from Stony Brook University promises to transform water quality monitoring. Associate Professor Qingzhi Zhu has been awarded a patent for an advanced sensor system capable of simultaneously detecting nitrate/nitrite and ammonium in real time — a major breakthrough for environmental monitoring. This technology can revolutionise wastewater treatment and septic system monitoring, offering immediate insights into water quality and enabling faster response to contamination events.
A New Era of Real-Time Nutrient Monitoring
Nitrogen pollution is one of the most persistent water quality challenges in the United States. Traditional monitoring methods involve manual sampling and laboratory testing, often taking days or weeks to deliver results. Professor Zhu’s patented sensor delivers instant, continuous data. It is the first sensor capable of simultaneously measuring nitrate and ammonium in a single device. “If something happened in the system, that means it happened a month ago already,” Professor Zhu explained of conventional methods. “But this sensor can tell you immediately when that happened.” One installation in Southampton detected a nitrogen spike after a holiday weekend, alerting the homeowner to a failed aeration pump, which was repaired before further harm occurred. The sensor can prevent harmful algal blooms, protect drinking water, and reduce health risks. Its self-calibrating and self-cleaning features make it highly reliable for long-term deployment.
Towards the Future
The sensor is now undergoing pilot testing in homes, schools, and wastewater treatment plants on Long Island. Professor Zhu is also developing sensors for PFAS — “forever chemicals” — which are dicult to detect at regulatory thresholds.
