What is the CLEAR Platform?
The CLEAR (Cost-effective Localized Environmental Analysis & Reporting) Platform is an innovative wide-area water pollution big data platform that utilizes 'used filters' from water purifiers and purification systems in homes and facilities. It aims to solve the globally widespread problem of 'lack of dispersed water pollution information'. It visually reveals hidden pollution distribution and enables data-driven, evidence-based policy formulation.
The CLEAR Flow: From Filter to Solution
The CLEAR Platform transforms discarded filters into valuable environmental insights, enabling a seamless flow from data collection to actionable solutions.
How the CLEAR Platform Works
1. Used Filter Collection and Geolocation
Used water purifier filters are collected from local residents, village offices, schools, and other facilities. During collection, the GPS location information of where the filter was used is recorded via a mobile app. These used filters act as a 'water pollution time capsule', accumulating water pollutants from that location over a period.
2. Used Filter Collection and Geolocation
Pollutants accumulated in the collected used filters (such as arsenic, heavy metals, nitrogen compounds) are quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed using portable analyzers or specialized equipment. This extracts key data on 'what pollutants are present and how severe' their accumulation is.
3. Big Data Construction: GIS-Based Pollution Map & DB Creation
The filter's location information and analysis data are uploaded to the central cloud-based CLEAR Platform, creating a GIS-based 'Wide-Area Water Pollution Map (Contamination Map)'. As data accumulates, it becomes sophisticated big data, visually revealing previously unseen pollution distribution.
4. Problem Solving: Data-Driven, Evidence-Based Policy Formulation
Through the CLEAR Platform, governments and local authorities can identify severely polluted villages or river basins and deploy optimal purification facilities and policies tailored to the type of pollutant, preventing budget waste and maximizing project effectiveness. Furthermore, this granular data enables the provision of customized filters and purification systems to individual members, ensuring tailored solutions for their specific water quality needs.
Why the CLEAR Platform?
Cost-effective
Significantly lower initial investment and operating costs by utilizing existing used filters instead of expensive IoT sensors.
Community-based
Naturally raises awareness about water quality issues by encouraging direct participation from residents in the filter collection process.
Maximizes Policy Efficiency
Enables the deployment of optimal policies and resources to the most urgent areas based on accurate, scientifically-backed diagnostics.
Hyper-local Data
Enables hyper-local pollution data acquisition at the village and household level by analyzing individual household filters.
Addresses Data Scarcity
Generates new 'historical data' in areas where it was previously non-existent, providing a prerequisite for applying predictive models.
Key Technologies and Features
The CLEAR Platform incorporates the following technological features to implement its unique filter-based idea on-site:
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Rapid/Accurate On-site Analysis Technology: Development of portable hazardous substance analysis kits for quick screening of key pollutants like arsenic and nitrogen on-site, enabling efficient sample selection and precise analysis.
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Standardized Analysis Protocols for Filter Types: Development of standard analysis protocols and algorithms that compensate for variables such as filter material, flow rate, and usage period across various water purifier filters, ensuring data reliability and comparability.
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Efficient Used Filter Collection and Incentive Model: Designing incentive programs (e.g., new filter discount coupons, mobile points) to encourage voluntary participation from local residents in returning used filters, and establishing an efficient community-based collection logistics system in cooperation with local NGOs and community leaders.
Scalability of the CLEAR Platform: Addressing Water Pipe Contamination
The CLEAR Platform's innovative filter-based analysis technology can play a pivotal role not only in ocean pollution but also in solving the globally severe problem of water pipe contamination. It particularly contributes to effectively identifying and responding to hidden threats like lead contamination caused by aging water infrastructure.
Lessons from Flint, Michigan, and CLEAR's Implications
The lead poisoning crisis in Flint, Michigan, starkly demonstrated the devastating impact of aging water pipes on public health. Such issues indicate that even if the water source itself is clean, pollutants can leach from pipes connecting to homes. The CLEAR Platform provides a powerful tool to detect such 'Point-of-Use' contamination directly through used water purifier filter analysis, enabling early detection and response to hidden pollution sources.
The CLEAR Platform contributes to solving water pipe contamination and creates new markets in the following ways:
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Early Warning System: Analyzes pollutants accumulated in filters to detect and warn early about aging water pipes or contamination in specific sections.
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Precise Diagnosis and Targeting: Identifies severely polluted areas or specific buildings through wide-area pollution maps, enabling targeted repair and replacement instead of unnecessary full replacement, thus using budgets efficiently.
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Increased Citizen Participation and Transparency: Raises awareness about water quality issues and enhances trust in government water quality management efforts as residents directly participate in filter collection and data provision.
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New Market Creation: Provides cost-effective water quality monitoring and diagnostic services to local governments, public health agencies, property management companies, and homeowners, forming new markets.
This scalability demonstrates the CLEAR Platform's potential to contribute not only to marine environmental protection but also to human drinking water safety and public health improvement.
Future Vision: Expansion to End-user Based Environmental Services
Beyond solving water pollution issues, the CLEAR Platform has infinite potential to expand into a comprehensive End-user based environmental monitoring service. Our goal is to usher in an era of 'citizen environmental science' where individuals directly produce environmental information in their daily lives and contribute to solving local environmental problems.
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Air Quality Monitoring Service: By analyzing air pollutants (e.g., fine dust, harmful gases) from household air purifier filters and car air conditioner filters, we can build regional air quality maps and provide customized air quality information to users. This will significantly contribute to protecting citizens' health, especially in urban environments with severe fine dust issues.
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Indoor Environment Management: Can be utilized for integrated monitoring of air, water, and surface contamination inside homes and buildings to create comfortable and safe indoor environments.
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Personalized Environmental Data: Collects and analyzes environmental data closely related to users' daily lives, serving as a foundation for providing customized environmental solutions to improve individual health and quality of life.
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Customized Filter and Purifier Provision: Based on personalized environmental data and regional pollution insights, we aim to provide members with tailored recommendations and access to customized filters and purification systems through a dedicated shopping mall. This ensures optimal solutions for individual needs.
Through this expansion, the CLEAR Platform will evolve beyond merely detecting pollution to become an innovative service that provides environmental information directly relevant to individuals' lives and encourages proactive environmental protection activities.
Citizen Engagement: Collaboration with ArtfarmL&K
One of ODTIF's core values, 'solidarity,' is completed through effective outreach to civil society. To deliver the CLEAR Platform's scientific data to the public in an accessible and emotionally resonant way and to encourage voluntary participation, we collaborate closely with the cultural arts company ArtfarmL&K.
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Data-Driven Art Projects: Utilizing water and air quality data collected through the CLEAR Platform, ArtfarmL&K plans and produces various forms of art, including visual arts, media art, and installation art. This contributes to conveying complex environmental data intuitively and emotionally, enhancing public understanding and empathy.
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Transformative Performances and Exhibitions: With themes emphasizing the severity of environmental pollution and the importance of environmental protection, ArtfarmL&K directs immersive performances, environmental operas, and interactive exhibitions. These cultural and artistic activities motivate citizens to actively think about and participate in environmental issues.
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Linkage with Citizen Science Campaigns: In conjunction with artistic activities, we plan and execute citizen participation programs such as used filter collection campaigns and local environmental monitoring workshops. This allows citizens to experience the role of 'citizen scientists' by directly participating in environmental data collection, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility for environmental issues.
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Development of Educational and Promotional Content: ArtfarmL&K develops educational materials, video content, and social media campaigns based on CLEAR Platform data to deliver environmental information easily and engagingly to citizens of all ages, thereby improving environmental literacy.
Through collaboration with ArtfarmL&K, the CLEAR Platform will go beyond being a mere technical solution to contribute to driving change in civil society through the power of culture and art, and promoting collective action for a sustainable environment.
Impact of the CLEAR Platform
B2B/B2G Customers
Central/local governments, public health agencies, ODA organizations like KOICA, international development banks (ADB/WB), property management companies, homeowners associations, etc. The platform offers an optimal solution for these entities to maximize effectiveness with limited budgets by providing scientific evidence-based tools for efficient environmental management and data-driven decision-making.
B2C Beneficiaries
Residents in areas lacking access to safe water and clean air (especially children and women). They directly benefit from improved water and air quality, leading to reduced medical expenses, increased labor productivity, and securing a sustainable environment. The platform empowers individuals with personalized environmental insights and tailored solutions for their daily lives.
Contact Us
For more information about the CLEAR Platform or to discuss potential collaborations, please feel free to contact us.