Groundbreaking water filter monitoring system unveiled at major U.S. airport

RTI Aquantix™ provides novel water filter monitoring for Denver International Airport's 77M yearly passengers

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Denver International Airport (DEN) has partnered with nonprofit research institute RTI International to ensure the continuous availability of filtered drinking water for its more than 77 million yearly passengers. RTI Aquantix™, a novel software solution, monitors real-time water use from its water fountains and bottle filling stations, and alerts facility staff when filters need to be changed. Water filters need regular replacement based on usage.

Since 2006, travelers have had to leave filled water bottles behind at security, but DEN offers water fountains equipped with built-in bottle fillers and activated carbon filters, providing free filtered water. This initiative not only quenches travelers' thirst but does so sustainably, by giving travelers the ability to reduce plastic waste from single-use bottles.

"Water filters in high-traffic areas can become depleted sooner than their suggested replacement time. RTI Aquantix assists maintenance and operations staff in optimizing filter management to protect health and reduce costs," said Judd Larson, Ph.D., a research chemical engineer at RTI and co-developer of the project. "This system eliminates guesswork, saving time and money."

Water fountains typically have a green-yellow-red light system indicating the filter's status. However, managing filters across a large airport can be challenging due to varying usage levels. The RTI Aquantix™ system tracks water use at 114 fountains and bottle filling stations in DEN’s three concourses through cloud-connected sensors, compiling data into a centralized dashboard. The software allows maintenance teams to predict when filters will expire and plan the most efficient replacement plan, as well as document filter changes, making filter maintenance more transparent and efficient.

When maintained properly point-of-use filters remove common potential contaminants in drinking water such as lead that can leach from water infrastructure. Travelers can check the status of DEN water filters by scanning a QR code located above each fountain. This transparency reassures passengers that the water they drink is filtered properly, potentially reducing the purchase of over 77 million plastic bottles annually.

Learn more about RTI Aquantix

Learn more about RTI’s Water Quality work