UrbanM2O Features Martijn Wagterveld: Advancing Sensor Intelligence at Zurich’s UWO

The UrbanM2O project has released the latest interview of its expert series, featuring Martijn Wagterveld of aqa.earth. The interview details the technological strategy for Demo Case 3, located at the world-leading Urban Water Observatory (UWO) in Fehraltorf, Switzerland. Managed by Eawag and ETH Zurich, this site acts as a specialized “Urban Water Test Lab” for tackling the impacts of climate change and urban expansion on water quality.

In the feature, Wagterveld explains how UrbanM2O leverages the UWO’s extensive sensor network to address the challenge of increased Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) discharges. A primary focus is protecting Switzerland’s groundwater, the nation’s primary drinking water source, while assessing potential risks from emerging contaminants and the implementation of new Nature-Based Solutions.

The project intervention utilizes high-precision monitoring to track the impact of stormwater on river health and investigates the effectiveness of advanced wastewater treatment in removing regulated pollutants. By analyzing the broader urban water system, the project aims to turn complex field data into actionable insights for the aquatic environment.

Watch the full interview here.