For Immediate Release:
March 31, 2015
Stratford, Prince Edward Island
Engineering Technologies Canada Ltd. (ETC) is pleased to announce that our product division, Dynamic Monitors, will receive a financial investment from Innovation PEI to help commercialize our patented Septic SitterTM system. ETC is one of five companies selected to receive funding through Innovation PEI’s Development and Commercialization Fund. Recipients were chosen from a pool of over twenty applicants through a competitive, peer review process. “It is indeed an honour to have been selected to receive this financial support by an independent peer review committee made up of leaders from the private sector, academia and government” says ETC President, Kelly Galloway, P.Eng. “It is a real vote of confidence, in the business opportunity and our company”. Companies will receive up to $100,000 which must be matched dollar for dollar.
Dynamic Monitors designs and develops innovative electronic devices which make on-site sewage systems more sustainable, effective and affordable. The Septic Sitter is an internet-connected monitor and early warning alert system for septic drainfields and tanks. Approximately 30 million homes in North America use onsite sewage treatment (aka septic) systems as opposed to centralized sewage collection and treatment. It is estimated that 40% of new home construction in the USA and Canada will rely on septic systems for wastewater management.
ETC President, Kelly Galloway, P.Eng., says “Unfortunately, most homeowners don’t understand how their septic systems work, or realize that they have capacity limitations. Lack of maintenance, excessive laundry use, leaky toilet flappers, basement sump pump and roof downspout connections, are all very common ways that homeowners unknowingly cause failure of their septic systems”. According to the USEPA, every year, millions of homeowners experience public health and environmental hazards from sewage backing up into homes, or breaking out in yards. It can cost thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars to fix septic problems that often could have been prevented.
Septic Sitter™ will protect septic system owners from messy and costly sewage back-ups and overloads, and also document the condition of the septic system prior to real estate transfer. Problems can be caught early, and corrective action taken, rather than waiting for a full blown failure or sewage back-up. Septic SitterTM installs easily in any existing or new septic system. It uses patented, non-contact ultrasonic sensor technology.
The data and reports generated by Septic Sitter can also be used to document the proper operation and functioning of septic systems prior to real estate transfer. These can be provided to future buyers of the home, or their septic inspector, to maximize property value.
A demo of the Septic Sitter system has been traveling the USA since October 2014 as part of Freescale Semiconductor’s Internet of Tomorrow Tour. The product was also recently showcased at the 2015 Water and Wastewater Equipment Treatment and Transport Show in Indianapolis. Feedback from industry leaders, septic installers and service providers has been extremely positive. “The main question was: When will it be ready?” says Galloway. “We have US distributors anxious and ready to start selling the system as soon as it is finished”.
Links:
Video Story on CBC News (March 31, 2015): Maritimes at 11
Written Article on CBC News/Prince Edward Island (April 1, 2015)
Feature article in Entrevestor.com, April 13, 2015
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