Environmental Tech Lab Launches Fourth Annual Call for Applications: Deadline October 23rd

September 14, 2026 - The Environmental Tech Lab (ETL) - a public-private collaboration between the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Partnership Fund for New York City - today launched its fourth annual competition, seeking tech-driven approaches to solve challenges for the nation's largest municipal water and wastewater system.

This year's challenges are designed to support DEP objectives in Planning, Data & Field Operations, Asset Condition & Failure Prevention, and Resource & Energy Recovery.

DEP manages and maintains New York City's water and wastewater network, delivering approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water every day to nearly 10 million people, all while managing 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 7,000 miles of water mains. The ETL was established in 2023 to identify innovative technology solutions from the global tech sector that can help the agency meet pressing operational and infrastructure challenges with new technologies and approaches.

Applications for the three challenges are now open, and interested companies can submit proposals until October 23, 2026. Learn more about the program, this year's challenges, and applications by visiting the Environmental Tech Lab website.

The ETL 2025 Challenges are:

• Planning, Data & Field Operations: How can DEP make planning, cost estimation, field data collection, and administrative review faster and more data-driven?

• Asset Condition & Failure Prevention: How can DEP detect problems in its pipes, equipment, and infrastructure earlier, so it can act before failures, breaks, or downtime?

• Resource & Energy Recovery: How can DEP capture more value from its wastewater and sewer systems, recovering usable energy, heat, and materials?

These focus areas were developed through in-depth deliberations with senior DEP staff across 12 bureaus and offices. Companies that are selected will have the opportunity to collaborate with DEP on in-depth proof-of-concept development and testing. The program offers a transparent and clear structure, with access to decision makers, clear go/no-go decisions, and help with access to the municipal market with targeted guidance on scoping, insurance, cybersecurity, and more.

"DEP is proud to once again partner with the Partnership for New York City and leverage the Environmental Tech Lab to seek out new technologies and innovative solutions that help us better address operational needs and challenges," said Anastasios Georgelis, DEP's Chief Operating Officer. "As the nation's largest municipal water and wastewater system, we are excited to see what these companies will bring to the table during this fourth annual competition to support our vast and complex infrastructure."

Stacey Matlen, Senior Vice President of Innovation at the Partnership for New York City, said, "The Environmental Tech Lab is proud to provide an expedited path for innovative companies to make a meaningful impact on one of the world's most important municipal infrastructure agencies. We look forward to seeing what types of solutions from around the world are pitched to solve this year's challenges to help create a more reliable, efficient, and future-proofed water system for millions of New Yorkers."

Through the first three years of the ETL, DEP has been able to test and evaluate technology from 24 early- and growth-stage companies, providing an accelerated pathway for participating companies to pilot and scale innovations. In August, the ETL released the results of its most recent proof-of-concept program, highlighting early outcomes and the potential for future impact.

The ETL is one of the Partnership Fund's three public sector Innovation Labs, a cornerstone of its "technology in the public interest" strategy aimed at helping government agencies deliver services more effectively for the benefit of all New Yorkers who use them. By inviting agencies to define a specific problem and then present them with a variety of solutions, the challenge-based model ensures government has access to the latest technology on the market and the ability to test and evaluate what works before committing to scale.

About the Environmental Tech Lab

The Environmental Tech Lab (ETL) launched in 2023, in partnership with New York City's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), to apply new technology solutions to address critical challenges posed by climate change and the need to build a sustainable future for our water and wastewater systems.

The ETL is part of the Partnership Fund for New York City's "Technology in the Public Interest" strategy which aims to invest in companies and programs that advance the application of new technologies to address urban challenges, including helping government agencies deliver services more effectively. In addition to the ETL, the Partnership Fund operates the Transit Tech Lab (TTL), established in 2018 in partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and expanded in 2019 to include NJ Transit, the NYC Department of Transportation, and the Port Authority of NY and NJ; and the Buildings Tech Lab (BTL), launched in 2024 in collaboration with the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB).

About the NYC Department of Environmental Protection

DEP manages New York City's water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.5 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP also protects the health and safety of New Yorkers by enforcing the Air and Noise Codes and asbestos rules. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X and Instagram.

About the Partnership Fund for New York City

The Partnership Fund for New York City is the $130 million investment arm of the Partnership for New York City, dedicated to mobilizing private sector resources and expertise to advance New York City's standing as a global center of economic opportunity, upward mobility, and innovation. The Fund invests in entrepreneurs and innovators in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors who contribute to building a more vibrant and inclusive New York City economy. As an "evergreen" fund, realized gains are continuously reinvested. A key focus of the Fund is the application of new technology that serves the public interest.

The Partnership Fund Board is led by co-chairs Tarek Sherif and Neil Blumenthal. Maria Gotsch is the Fund's President and CEO. More information about the Fund can be found at partnershipfundnyc.org.