WEF member associations send aspiring water scientists to National Stockholm Junior Water Prize Competition

ALEXANDRIA, VA, May 4, 2004 -- The Water Environment Federation (WEF) proudly announces the 2004 U.S. state winners of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize - the most prestigious youth award for a water-related science project. WEF Member Associations selected and most will sponsor state winners to enter the national competition in Denver, Colorado, June 10-12. The U.S. winner will receive $2,500 and an all expense paid trip to Stockholm, Sweden for the international competition.

"The SJWP competition is an important element in WEF's continuing efforts to attract young professionals into the water quality field," said WEF Executive Director, Bill Bertera, "the competition promotes leadership, academic excellence and environmental stewardship, which will benefit not only the individual but the entire environmental and public health community, domestically and internationally."

The purpose of the SJWP is to increase students' interest in water-related issues and research, and to sensitize them - as future leaders - to global water challenges. The competition for the SJWP award is open to projects aimed at improving the quality of life through improvement of water quality, water resources management, water protection or water and wastewater treatment.

In the United States, WEF and its member associations, organize the national, state and regional SJWP competitions with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), The Coca-Cola Company and ITT Industries, who is also the international sponsor. Internationally, HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden is the patron of the prize. In a royal ceremony, during World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden, August 15-20, 2004, the international winner will receive $5,000 (USD). For more information about the competition, visit www.stockholmjuniorwaterprize.org.