[IMPACT]
CLEAN aims to deliver a decentralized platform for water quality testing and reporting. People will be empowered to sample, test, and submit results for water quality in their homes, businesses, schools, and neighborhoods. A community of water quality monitoring volunteers will be organized and mobilized to collect and test water samples in public water sources such as rivers, streams, lakes, reservoirs, and community wells. Results will be stored on the blockchain using a smart phone app. Participants will be incentivized using a combination of ADA and Cardano native tokens. The solution will incorporate Atala PRISM for DIDs, authentication, and issuing and verifying credentials.
Why this is important and relevant to the challenge:
Wealth is meaningless without the health to enjoy it. People unknowingly bathe in, cook with, and consume contaminated water in both developing world countries and wealthy nations. Just as important as registering a property for financial capital is accurately reporting water quality in homes and communities. We must protect our human and social capital as we work to build our economic wealth.
Even in the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency, charged with overseeing the Safe Drinking Water Act, is “overburdened, understaffed, and broke.” It is well documented that there is water contamination in over 10,000 communities in the United States, yet the people affected are mostly unaware until it is too late. In 2015, we learned that over 100,000 people were exposed to lead in the drinking water in Flint, Michigan. Thousands of Marines, their families, and civilians were exposed to poison in the water at the Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base in North Carolina between 1950 and 1985. If this is the case in the United States, how much worse is it in the developing world? People cannot rely on centralized authorities and bureaucracies to protect their water.
Our vision:
The goal of CLEAN is to decentralize the process of collecting samples for water quality testing. Doing so will move the collection of water samples for testing from the central municipal water treatment facilities to where people consume water, in their homes, schools, businesses, and communities.
Reliable water quality data based on samples collected closer to where people consume the water is what we are aiming to achieve. Our goal is to collect water samples in the locations where they matter most, test those samples for contaminants, and publish that data to the blockchain in a way that verifies and substantiates previous samples, thereby creating trustworthiness through corroboration. As Shannon Vallor wrote in her book Technology And The Virtues, “the future flourishing of humanity depends more than it ever has on our ability to obtain, verify, and share reliable information concerning problems such as global climate change; infectious disease and public health; threats to air and water supplies…” The CLEAN decentralized water quality platform will help to do just that.
Project activities
- Sourcing low-cost field testing kits and equipment and building a network of 3rd party commercial and university laboratories that can perform water contaminate testing.
- Organizing a community of volunteer water quality monitors.
- Building and maintaining a database of environmental contaminants.
- Developing an educational program and training materials about water quality.
- Designing a simple to use smartphone app that will utilize GPS and Atala PRISM DID integration to verify the user’s identity and the location of the water sample being collected. The app will facilitate the saving of data to the blockchain using image recognition and manual data entry.
- Developing a methodology of data corroboration based on near neighbor results using a proof-of-fact methodology. We are looking closely at the Orcfax solution (fund 6) and evaluating other “trust but verify” methodologies.
- The creation and registration of a DAO. The management and administration of CLEAN will evolve into a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization). The CLEAN DAO facilitate the governance of the project and the community.
- The minting of a Cardano native token to be used to reward water sample collection and testing and which could be used to purchase water testing kits, equipment, materials, and filtration devices.
- The operation of a stake pool where the margin rewards will be used to fund the ongoing operations of the project.
An Understanding of the Mystery of Capital
In preparation for participating in this challenge, we studied the writings of Hernando de Soto. Through that, we learned of the importance of provable ownership and the need for legal ownership rights that would allow assets to become capital. We see the need for systems and processes to transform property into capital. One component of such systems will let people see if any competing claims or obstacles block the potential value, such as liens and other encumbrances. However, other issues could severely impact the value of a property, such as contamination of the groundwater or the soil. We believe our solution would go hand in hand with a property system allowing people access to data on potential contamination issues with properties that could affect the property value and more importantly the people’s health.
Atala PRISM Integration
We have reviewed the IOHK/EMURGO Atala PRISM solutions and use-cases. We believe that integrating our solution with Atala PRISM would allow us to create a reputation component that would promote credibility and legitimacy of the data collected and published on our platform and help to grow the Atala PRISM DID user base.
We are enrolled in the Atala PRISM Pioneer program where we are learning about the SDK, the ecosystem, DIDs, governance frameworks, and issuing and verifying credentials.
We see the following immediate use cases for Atala PRISM and CLEAN:
- Digital id and authentication service for the platform.
- Initial onboarding
- Ongoing authentication
- Water quality certification for businesses, schools, properties, etc.
- This could serve like the health certificate that a restaurant receives
- Proof of environmental training certification for water quality monitors
- Individuals providing water quality testing services would be able to show proof of certification.
The CLEAN mission targets United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #6, which is about “Clean water and sanitation for all”. We believe that people have a right to know whether or not their water is safe. Our efforts may be opposed by those in government and industry that want to keep people ignorant of environmental contamination. We will need to work hard to build a trustworthy platform that ensures accurate data. We will need to work even harder to build a community of believers who will work to help us achieve our goals. While the core team has extensive experience building software applications, we are seeking additional talent with experience integrating Atala PRISM and developing Plutus smart contracts. We know this expertise is available in the community and we are actively recruiting from the community to fill these gaps.
Because of the nature of the data we are collecting and managing, trustworthiness must be a foundational component of the platform. A focus on data and application security is not enough. We must work to ensure that data being collected is corroborated by additional data points from neighboring locations. This will be done within the platform through a validation score that increases as data points that verify prior results are added. We are also looking to leverage the use of supporting technologies such as proofs-of-fact and trust but verify. One such project that has caught our eye is Orcfax (https://www.orcfax.link/) from fund 6. We are in contact with representatives from Orcfax regarding potential integration.
Laboratory fees and expenses will also present a challenge. Our plan is to use affordable yet accurate testing kits and equipment to collect and test samples in the field. Where positive findings for contaminants are made our plan is to then follow up those results with analysis in certified labs either commercial or in universities. We plan to work to recruit field testing kit and equipment suppliers and labs that will be open to accepting Ada and later a Cardano native token as partial payment for equipment, materials, and services.
[FEASIBILITY]
Our project plan with Gannt chart is updated regularly on the clean website and can be accessed using this link:
https://clean.watercontaminationdata.org/clean-project-planV2.html
Timeline and roadmap for this round of funding
30 days:
1. Negotiate the purchase of an initial batch of field water testing kits
2. Identify and contract with one water testing laboratory in each pilot location
3. Clean Whitepaper - draft describing the solution and system design
4. Website for water quality monitoring volunteers to register
5. Community building including outreach to universities and organizations
60 days:
1. Deliver a working proof of concept web app with the following MVP functionality
- User registration
- Documentation of water sample collection with GPS location
- Manual entry of test results
- Photo upload of test results
- Display history of water samples and test results
- Searchable access to water quality data from government agencies where data is available
2. Training program for water quality monitoring volunteers.
90 days:
1. Deliver a working proof of concept smartphone app with the following MVP functionality:
- User registration and authentication utilizing Atala PRISM
- GPS location
- Documentation of water sample
- Photo upload of field test results
- Display history of water samples and test results
2. Deliver a working proof of concept side-chain based water quality data system with the following MVP functionality:
- Water sample and test result storage
- Ability to query samples and results by location, date, and contaminants
3. Database of water contaminants and their health effects.
4. Continue to grow, organize and mobilize the community of water quality monitoring volunteers
Future deliverables
- CLEAN utility token minted as a Cardano native token
- Initial stake pool offering
- CLEAN DAO registered in the state of Wyoming
- Cardano certified Dapp
- CLEAN launch on Cardano mainnet
- Atala PRISM credential issuance and verification
- Integration with proof of fact system
A detailed project plan with Gannt chart is available in the link above.
While we seek to get funded through project catalyst, Clean is attempting to finance its operations via proceeds from its fledgling stake pool. Please consider staking with Clean to support our mission. You can find us in Daedalus and Yoroi using the ticker symbol CLEAN.
Challenge funds requested: $115,000
Software development: $45,000
We estimate approximately 608 hours of software development for the following deliverables. Please see our project plan which includes individual tasks, durations, and scheduled due dates. Cost budgeted based on an hourly rate of $75 per hour.
- Web app development
- Smartphone app development
- Blockchain development
- Atala PRISM integration
- Plutus smart contract development
- Quality assurance
- Cloud infrastructure setup
- App store deployment
Administration, Management, Community Building: $36,000
We estimate approximately 480 hours in community building activities including marketing, recruitment, training programs, contaminant content, and laboratory partnerships. Cost budgeted based on an hourly rate of $75 per hour.
- Developing partnerships with university and commercial laboratories
- Creating a database of water contaminants and their health effects
- Marketing
- Recruiting and organizing a community of water quality monitors
Materials, Equipment, Fees, and Expenses: $34,000
- Lead in water detection kits - $5000
- Pesticide in water detection kits - $5000
- 5 hand held X-Ray Fluorescence analyzers to be used as an alternative accurate method to test for lead in water and soil - $10,000
- Lab fees and expenses - $9000
- Shipping and transportation Costs - $2000
- Platform infrastructure and hosting costs - $3000
Please see the link above to our project plan for details
Core Team:
Nick Smith, Project Leader, CTO (California, USA)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrnicksmith/
Smith has traveled the world implementing health technology solutions in hospitals from Africa to the Philippines. He co-founded the company Medwave Software Solutions which has developed HarmoniMD, one of the leading hospital systems in Latin America and which was voted #1 hospital system in Latin America by Blackbook for the last two years. At Medwave, he developed the entire backend architecture for the health technology platform and managed the cloud infrastructure.
Before starting his long career in technology, Smith served with the United States Marines. Smith has been fascinated by cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology for several years. He lurked in the catalyst community for several funding rounds and began voting with Round 7. He is ready to bring his leadership skills, work ethic, and vision to help the Cardano community achieve widespread adoption.
Mark Lancaster, Community Ambassador (Kansas, USA)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-lancaster-1a9ba7121/
Mark has been an executive director or lead staff in a variety of domestic and international
organizations, having worked in many states and more than 20 countries in North America, Europe,
Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Mark was responsible for developing a unique educational partnership with EYN (the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) and a seminary in the United States. In Northern Nigeria, where terrorist groups like Boko Haram are most active, he designed, funded and built a high tech educational facility where Africans and North Americans can be in synchronous video classes together.
Mark is the former chair of the board of Heifer International, regional director for American Friends
Service Committee, CEO for the Seva Foundation, which works in the public health field of cataract
blindness and the global diabetes pandemic. He has served as a faculty member for two private colleges and a Christian Seminary. He has also served as a consultant for Habitat for Humanity in Eastern Europe and was employed as the Chief International Operations Officer for E-Health Records International.
Most recently, Mark has been the special assistant to the President at Bethany Theological Seminary on International Partnerships and Executive Director for Institutional Advancement. Mark actively consults with both domestic and international nonprofits on fund raising, strategic planning and program development. In the last decade Mark’s special focus has been on addressing climate change, economic inequities and sustainable community development
Kapend Kalau Christian, Project Manager (Lubumbashi, Congo)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-kapend-579247101/
Passionate about Science and Technology, in 2002 he entered the Higher School of Industrial Engineers (ESI) of the University of Lubumbashi and obtained his diploma of Industrial Engineer in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Option.
Still a student, having discovered very quickly the techniques and methods of troubleshooting computer equipment, he becomes the technician of the family and neighborhoods. Very quickly; he made a name for himself throughout the city of Lubumbashi by his multiple interventions. He worked with individuals, a few companies and local organizations. He learned to use all his free time to respond to calls and requests from his clients to intervene.
In 2006, he created the SING (New Generation Computer Service) project, which became Ets SING Multiservices when it was registered with the New Register of Commerce in 2011.
In 2007, after leaving the University, he began his professional career and joined the university education sector the same year. He teaches the Databases and Algorithm course at the Higher Institute of Commercial Technology in Lubumbashi.
Alternately, he served in various companies as a computer scientist, logistician and customs declarant in Lubumbashi and Kolwezi.
In 2010, he assisted Mr. Nick Smith in implementing health technology solution at the Methodist Hospital Mama Tabitha in Kolwezi.
After spending several years in mining companies as a System and Network Administrator, in July 2019, he began a new career in public administration as an Advisor in charge of Computer Science and Archiving to the Executive Secretary of the Lualaba Government.
Open Position, Atala Prism Developer
We will fill this position from the Cardano technical community.
Open Position, Plutus Developer
We will fill this position from the Cardano technical community.
[AUDITABILITY]
Within the first 3 months of project funding we plan to attain and exceed the following measurable goals:
- Number of registered water quality monitoring volunteers.
- Our goal is to recruit at least 30 water quality monitoring volunteers.
- Highschool and University Students: 10
- Faith based organizations: 10
- Non profit organizations: 10
- Number of water quality samples collected.
- Our goal is to perform 300 lead in water tests
- Our goal is to perform 300 pesticide in water tests
- Our goal is to have 30 water quality sample locations
- Number of water quality tests published
- Our goal is to record 600 test results to the block chain
- Number of queries to the water quality database
- Our goal is to show a steady growth rate in users of the reporting data website
- Number of contaminants in the contaminant database
- Our goal is to create content for the 97 contaminants in the EPA unregulated contaminant monitoring database
A functioning web and smartphone app with a backend side chain that supports the decentralized collection of water quality samples.
A growing community of registered water quality monitoring volunteers.
A growing user base measured in website traffic and data queries of the water quality data
A growing list of active partnerships with commercial and university laboratories
This is not a continuation of a previously funded project in Catalyst.
SDG Rating
SDG goals:
Goal 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
SDG subgoals:
6.3 By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally
Key Performance Indicator (KPI):
6.3.2 Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality
#proposertoolsdg