Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2011 receives record number of nominations

Dec. 8, 2010
SINGAPORE, Dec. 8, 2010 -- The Singapore International Water Week today announced that a record number of nominations have been received for the coveted Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2011...

SINGAPORE, Dec. 8, 2010 -- The Singapore International Water Week today announced that a record number of nominations have been received for the coveted Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2011. A total of 72 nominations were submitted this year, a 38 percent increase from the year before. The leap in entries is the largest since the award was inaugurated in 2008 and it is a testament to the growing stature of the award that recognises outstanding contributions to solving water challenges around the world.

Recognising Achievements in Global Water Solutions
Launched in 2008 to honour outstanding contributions by individuals or organisations towards solving the world's water problems by applying innovative technologies or implementing policies and programmes which benefit humanity, the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize is the highlight of the Singapore International Week held annually in Singapore. The award is named after the founding father of modern Singapore, who is the first Prime Minister and presently Minister Mentor. A total of 72 nominations were received this year, far exceeding past years' numbers and the award has also garnered attention across all continents. Entries were received for the very first time from Tunisia, Egypt and Austria.

"We are very heartened by the increase in nominations as it is a reflection of the importance and momentum the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize is gaining on the world stage. This year's nominees, while diverse geographically, are all high quality submissions which have achieved significant impact in their real life application," said Michael Toh, Managing Director for the Singapore International Water Week.

Nominations for the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2011 closed on 31 Oct 2010. Nominations for the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize covered a wide range of solutions including application of innovative technologies for water and used water collection and treatment as well as water recycling, implementation of revolutionary water policies and programmes, management of agriculture waters and rainwater, as well as the administration of humanitarian aid. The nominations also include several exceptional research projects conducted in the fields of limnology, microbial pathogens, novel desalination and membrane processes. All nominees showed a strong understanding of the ever-evolving needs for today's urban environment and presented sustainable solutions to combat these challenges.

Past Award Recipients
The inaugural Water Prize in 2008 was awarded to Dr Andrew Benedek for his outstanding work in pioneering the development of low-pressure membranes in water treatment. Dr Benedek has redefined the way water can be treated and shown how drinking water can be produced from different water sources, even those that are highly polluted. It is a big leap that benefits mankind, for those in both developed and developing countries.

Professor Gatze Lettinga was awarded the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2009 for his breakthrough, environmentally sustainable solution for the treatment of used water using anaerobic technology. His revolutionary treatment concept enables industrial used water to be purified cost-effectively, and produces renewable energy, fertilisers and soil conditioners.

The recipient of the 2010 award was the Yellow River Conservancy Commission (YRCC), honoured for its outstanding accomplishments in integrated river basin management. YRCC's innovative policies and solutions have brought about widespread and sustainable social, economic and environmental benefits.

Winner Announcement for 2011 Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize
Nominations for the 2011 Water Prize will undergo two rounds of rigorous selection and the winner will be decided by the prize council comprising individuals of high international standing from academia, multi-national corporations and government bodies. The recipient of the 2011 award will be announced in March 2011 and the winner will be honoured at a ceremony held at the Singapore International Water Week in July. The recipient will receive S$300,000, as well as an award certificate and a gold medallion in recognition of its contributions to the water industry. The Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize is sponsored by the Singapore Millennium Foundation (SMF).

About Singapore International Water Week
The Singapore International Water Week is the global platform for water solutions. It brings policymakers, industry leaders, experts and practitioners together to address challenges, showcase technologies, discover opportunities and celebrate achievements in the water world. Comprising the Water Leaders Summit, Water Convention, Water Expo and Business Forums, it culminates in the presentation of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, a prestigious international award to recognise outstanding contributions in solving global water issues. The fourth Singapore International Water Week will be held from 4 to 8 July 2011. The theme is Sustainable Water Solutions for a Changing Urban Environment. For more information, log onto www.siww.com.sg.

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