Co Down Drainage Firm Reduces Pollution With New Tech

A Co Down start-up has developed new technology to reduce environmental pollution levels by controlling water and wastewater levels in drainage networks.

Storm Harvester's green technology has been installed in major developments across Northern Ireland and Great Britain, including Hillsborough Castle Gardens and a landmark property on London's Grosvenor Square.

The local company hopes to sell the smart control system- which reduces the volume of mains water required by new buildings and ultimately lowers pollution levels- to water utilities across the UK and Europe.

The innovative technology decreases the volume of sewage that overflows from drainage networks into rivers, lakes and the sea by using rainfall forecasts to regulate stormwater and wastewater networks.

Invest NI offered £121,000 of research and development funding towards the project.

Brian Moloney, founder of StormHarvester, said: "Sewage overflow is becoming an increasing issue in urban areas, due to outdated sewerage networks. Our new product takes core principles and expertise in water forecast drainage control and applies this to regulate entire urban sewage networks effectively.

"Our cloud-based system is designed to make drainage systems 'smart', allowing users to proactively take preventive action to decrease flooding and damage.

"This would not have been possible without Invest NI's financial support, expert advice and guidance to bring the product to market. The development of this system has allowed us to strengthen our product portfolio and skillset, while also helping to reduce environmental pollution."

Dr Vicky Kell, Invest NI's Director of Innovation, Research and Development, added: "StormHarvester has created an innovative system that has the potential to significantly reduce the impact of flooding and sewage leakage on the environment. This recent R&D investment has enabled the company to gain greater insights into how the growing population and urbanisation are impacting climate change and, hence, flooding.

"We have supported the company since it participated in our Propel programme and we are pleased to continually help this highly ambitious local company achieve its growth potential."

StormHarvester initially participated in Invest NI's Propel Pre-Accelerator programme in 2016, which helps early-stage entrepreneurs using innovative and disruptive technologies to build their business and achieve international success.