Real-Time Data’s Potential To Halt Water Contamination For Industry & Municipalities

Foresight 50’s Most Investible Canadian Cleantech Ventures names Edmonton start-up 25Water sensor generated real-time feedback to instantly stop the release of metal contaminant into the environment

“Processes that can’t be measured can’t be controlled. And uncontrolled processes cost time and money. Data that will allow immediate information on water quality, can control the processes that make a difference in stopping the release of contaminant and protecting the environment and the population.”

CEO of 25Water, Anthea Sargeaunt, MBA was voted Startup Alberta’s MostPromising Startup Entrepreneur 2019;Canada Clean50 2021 for Research andDevelopment. Her company has been awarded the first prize in the MiningCleantechnology Challenge in 2021; the 2022 Innovation Award Winner according to the IMII; the Covergx Precommercialization Award for the best new technology with applications in industry and defense; and was selected as one of the Top 100 Best Water innovations Worldwide by FAMAE.

Interview with Anthea Sargeaunt, CEO of 2S Water

By Suzanne Forcese

WT:Please provide an overview of 2S Water. What was the mission and vision that motivated you in founding 2S Water?

Sargeaunt: At 2S Water we are on a mission to protect water with realtime data. Our vision is impacting aqueous processes in the mining industry to reduce their impact and increase their output.

2S Water has developed a sensor for real-time detection of metals and atomics in water. This technology enables process optimization, regulatory compliance, and early issue identification for customers in the initial target markets of mining and municipal water.

2S Water’s AquaValid sensor can detect 30 different metals and generates data every five minutes.

Our patented and proprietary technology solves the “Slow-Data” problem every aqueous process operator is facing. Natural or process related variances in the process water or brine feedstock matrix cost operators millions of dollars annually. Equipment maintenance and repair costs escalate, extractive mediums such as filtration or membranes require replacement more often and the operator may face financial or reputational penalties if environmental standards are breached.

In aqueous extractive processes, the lack of real-time feedstock matrix data is directly tied to lost revenue as valuable ore is not extracted, further driving operational costs up and revenue down.

WT: Congratulations on being named in Foresight 50 Most Investible Cleantech Ventures.

Foresight states: “The Foresight 50 aren’t just businesses; they’re changemakers. These ventures tackle critical issues like waste reduction, renewable energy adoption, and food security, while driving economic growth and creating jobs. By connecting these pioneers with crucial capital and strategic partnerships, we’re paving the way for a greener, more prosperous economy.”

What does this recognition mean for you and how did 2S Water answer the call of "changemaker"?

Sargeaunt: Well, that’s flattering! I am not sure I would characterize it as answering the call of the changemaker. That makes what we are doing sound epic and unattainable. We are doing one small part in solving a problem; everyone needs to do a small part. Tackling the issues Foresight has listed is the work of everyone, and we are honored to be a part of that.

I want your viewers to know they can be a part of that too. We all can, and we all need to in order to solve these problems. We are deeply honored to be recognized for our work, and hope that it inspires others to do what they can.

WT: The 2S Water website states: Current technologies can take days to deliver actionable data. 2S Water’s AquaValid technology delivers accurate data in real-time so operators can make informed decisions sooner.

Comment on how you followed the thread of looking for a problem to find a solution.

Sargeaunt: For us the problem was clear. Not just in mining, where we see our greatest impact, but in environmental monitoring.

In industrial and municipal water treatment, there is a strong need for metal identification. Metals in water have so many profound impacts on ecology and biology that their control and containment must be a priority for our society.

Flint, Michigan brought this to the public eye, but industrial water contamination has long been an issue faced by our society. You can’t solve a problem if you don’t have the data to understand it, so it was logical that that was the first part of the problem that required a solution.

WT: You have said “We have a very specific mission on the Next Economy. Green technology is based on metals. Metals for batteries, metals for windmills, metals are the core of the future. If we don’t bring green to mining, then we are building that on a false foundation. We are doing our part to green mining, because we believe it’s where we can have the most impact on the world.” Explain how the 2S Water technology delivers on that statement.

Sargeaunt: Using our sensor technology, we can provide the data that operators need to optimize their mining processes. Optimization doesn’t just mean more profit. It means less consumables, less GHG emissions, and less waste. It means more recycling of inputs and more clean outputs. And we do it all hand in hand with generating more profit from existing processes. Because that’s how we get the impacts we need as a society adopted into the market.

WT:Metals in water are problematic in many industries. Please elaborate on the industries you serve and the metals that are problematic.

Sargeaunt: Metals are like anything else in nature. A bit is necessary for correct function. Too much is poison. We’re focused on metal mining as our go-to market. There, we’re doing everything from effluent monitoring for copper, nickel, and zinc, to name a few, to process optimization for lithium brines, gold cyanide leachate, and other aqueous extractive processes.

WT:How do the sensors work? What are the advantages of real time data? compared to traditional testing? How did you come to understand the challenges water operators are faced with?

Sargeaunt: We are actually very similar to the existing lab technology that identifies metals in water. But we don’t need this data in the lab. We need it in the field. And we need it now, not when the lab gets it done.

Realtime optimization requires realtime data! And AI cannot address these challenges until we have a data set. So, there’s important groundwork to do, and we are happy to be out there getting it done!

WT: How does the operator engage with the system? Why are you finding the 2S Water System is appealing to operators who have been used to working with traditional water testing?

Sargeaunt: We connect directly to the operator’s dashboard to provide the data. Traditionally, they receive this data in a spreadsheet, and then have to interpret it, and back time it to the time of testing.

Real time data on the operator’s dashboard is what is needed to get the gains of process optimization, and it’s what we provide. Operators find it appealing because they already know what to do with the data, they just cannot get it fast enough with the incumbent solution.

WT: What has been the most surprising (and validating) aspect in your own learning curve as you work in the field with the water sector?

Sargeaunt: Without a doubt their dedication. People in the water sector are a different breed. They do it for the love of water, for love of their communities, and for love of their environments. I have never met so many professionals who every day go above and beyond the call of duty to address challenges, who are never satisfied with just the regulations or just the status quo. Really, it’s been such a pleasure working in the water sector.

WT: What stage are you at in your start-up?

Sargeaunt: We are shipping early commercial products! It’s been a long road, and we’re excited to be into sales with our first customers, and deploying across North America, South America, and into Europe and the Middle East. There are so many challenges in the mining sector that we can address, and we can’t wait to see our impact grow over the next few years.

WT: Lithium is a hot topic these days ... is this something you are exploring?

Sargeaunt: Lithium is our primary focus right now. We want to make an impact where it matters, and now, that’s about growth into lithium in an equitable and environmentally sustainable way. We’re an enabling technology for the new direct extraction technologies that are revolutionizing lithium extraction, and a step change improvement tech for existing operations.

WT: What is next as you move forward?

Sargeaunt: Next is our drive into market! We’re focused on lithium and desalination, primarily in the Chilean market, but also globally. We want to see growth and impact and we’re ready to address the challenges of scaling an innovative technology like this one!

WT: Any last words for our viewers?

Sargeaunt: We’re not without challenges in this world. But we’re not without solutions, either. It’s amazing and deeply honoring to be included in Foresight 50, all of which are truly innovative companies focused on changing the world for the better. It’s something that gives me hope for the future, and I hope it does the same for your viewers!

We’re always looking for partners to help us grow. If you’re a mining company looking to increase your output without changing your hardware, please reach out. And if you’re a mining educated investor, we want to hear from you. Just like a child, a startup takes a village, and we encourage you to become a part of ours.