Base: Water Contamination Detection

Water contamination is a critical and growing issue

Access to clean and safe drinking water is essential. Increasing natural and chemical disasters have led to significant contamination of waterways. In the United States, nearly half of water sources are too polluted for swimming, fishing, or drinking. Additionally, government agencies have often obscured the true extent of water quality issues.

Investigating real-world contamination incidents

Ashland, MA

From 1965 to 1978, companies like Nyanza Inc disposed of toxic textile effluent, leading to severe contamination of soil, groundwater, and wetlands with mercury, chromium, arsenic, and lead. Residents suffered severe health impacts, including rare cancers, due to prolonged exposure to these contaminants.

Assessing existing solutions and identifying gaps

How might we create a community network by decentralizing water quality data from chemical disasters?

This question aims to explore the development of a system that empowers communities by providing transparent and accessible water quality information.

Water contamination is widespread and dangerous

Research in Ashland, MA revealed severe contamination with mercury, chromium, arsenic, and lead due to industrial waste disposal. Residents experienced severe health impacts, highlighting the critical need for reliable water quality testing.

Existing solutions are costly and not user-friendly

Competitive analysis shows that high-accuracy water testing solutions are expensive and require toxic reagents. There are no affordable, consumer-friendly options connected to a decentralized network, underscoring the need for a more accessible solution.

User feedback highlights the need for real-time water quality data

Interviews and surveys indicate that users desire real-time, reliable data on water quality to ensure their safety. The lack of accessible tools for immediate testing and reporting exacerbates the risk and uncertainty faced by communities in contaminated areas.

Developing a real-time water contamination sensor

Based on research findings, a water contamination sensor was designed to upload test results immediately to a decentralized virtual platform. The sensor can be applied in three main scenarios: emergency response, consumer home monitoring, and future integration into building infrastructure.

Understanding the roles and interactions in water contamination management

The system map for Base outlines the roles of various stakeholders in addressing water contamination, emphasizing their responsibilities and interactions.

Creating practical and effective sensor designs

Based on the research and findings, a water contamination sensor that immediately uploads test results to a decentralized virtual platform was conceptualized. Various iterations were explored to address the identified challenges and user needs.

Exploring and refining the Base sensor concept

Physical Prototype

The exploded view shows the components of the faucet sensor, including the glass, water container, lightbox screen, battery, and attachment piece. This design was initially created to provide a comprehensive water quality monitoring solution. However, it was abandoned due to its complexity and high production costs, as well as potential issues with durability and user assembly.

Digital Prototype

The app interface displays real-time data on water quality, such as sulfur percentage, with options to upload data to a database and view a map of water quality. While this design aimed to offer detailed monitoring, it lacked user-friendly navigation and clear visual feedback. Users found it difficult to interpret the data and take appropriate actions, leading to its abandonment in favor of a more intuitive and accessible interface.

Addressing diverse needs with tailored solutions

Consumer: Faucet

User

People concerned with water quality

Design Principles

Accessible, continuous testing, easily integrated, alerts users, provides actionable advice.

Emergency: Drone

User

Emergency Workers

Design Principles

• Accessible
• Continuous testing
• Can be added to your existing home
• Should warn you/alert you
• Should tell you what to do next

Future: Pipe Integration

User

Everyone (part of building code)

Design Principles

Ubiquitous, continuous testing, part of daily life.

Emphasizing performance, aesthetics, and future-readiness

Ensuring seamless interaction and effective water safety responses

The user flow for Base ensures users can effectively monitor and respond to water contamination, providing clear actions based on water quality readings.

Simplifying the process for users

Enhancing home water safety with real-time monitoring

The final prototype of the Base Consumer: Faucet sensor provides an intuitive solution for continuous water quality monitoring at home. This prototype includes a physical faucet attachment and a digital interface for real-time data monitoring. The faucet sensor integrates seamlessly with existing plumbing, offering instant feedback on water quality. The digital prototype displays user-friendly data visualizations, alerting users to any contaminants and providing actionable advice. This ensures consumers can confidently ensure their water is safe, enhancing health and safety in everyday life.

Democratizing water quality data for community empowerment

The Base prototype enhances home water safety with continuous monitoring and real-time feedback. It empowers marginalized communities, improves responses from NGOs and governments, and increases accountability for textile companies. By providing transparent data, Base promotes cultural awareness and demands for safer water practices, ultimately enhancing public health and safety.

Further enhancements are needed to improve detection and usability

While the Base water contamination sensor shows promise, there are several areas for improvement. Expanding the sensor's capabilities to identify a broader range of contaminants is essential. Additionally, incorporating more sensors can enhance data fidelity and precision. Finally, refining the product design is necessary to ensure it is ready for widespread deployment and user adoption.

Designing Base highlighted the importance of user-centered design and real-time data

Working on the Base water contamination sensor project underscored the critical need for accessible, real-time water quality testing solutions. Engaging with affected communities and understanding their challenges were essential in shaping the design and functionality of the sensor. This project emphasized the value of user-centered design and the impact of providing transparent, reliable data to empower users. The experience also highlighted the importance of iterative development and responsiveness to user feedback to create a product that genuinely addresses a significant public health issue. Moving forward, these insights will guide future enhancements and the broader application of similar technologies.