Dr James Barnard wins Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize
SINGAPORE : The inventor of an eco-friendly method of treating used water has been named this year's Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize winner.
The international award recognises outstanding contributions towards solving global water problems.
It will be handed out at the Singapore International Water Week in July.
In fish farming, algae that grow in the water is an important part of the ecology - as a food source for the marine life. However, excessive algae bloom can quickly turn fatal.
Dr James Barnard, winner of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, said: "Other organisms feed on the algae, fish feed on the other organisms, and of course we eat the fish. That is the normal chain of events.
"The main problem is when the system becomes imbalanced, the algae growth becomes excessive, and when it's excessive, it disturbs the water balance so the fish can no longer survive in it."
This happens when nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus are not removed from used water before being discharged into lakes and rivers.
In 2008, the outbreak of algae bloom in waters off China's Qingdao disrupted the Olympics sailing competition and damaged marine life.
Dr Barnard's technology, known as Biological Nutrient Removal, uses micro-organisms already present in the water to remove the nutrients.
Pioneered in the 1970s, this technology is currently used in thousands of water treatment plants worldwide.
It is more eco-friendly compared to traditional treatments as it does away with the use of resource-intensive chemicals. It can also result in up to 90 per cent of cost savings.
The Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize received a record 72 nominations from 29 countries this year. Dr Barnard's technology stood out from the competition for his innovative and cost-effectiveness in treating used water.
Dr Barnard said he would donate the S$300,000 cash prize to charity. The South African native also hopes to use the money to improve school systems in his country.
Past winners include Professor Gatze Lettinga from the Netherlands for his anaerobic technology for used water treatment, and Dr Andrew Benedek for pioneering low-pressure membranes.
- CNA/al
The Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize is the highlight of the Singapore International Water Week. This award honours outstanding contributions towards solving global water problems by either applying technologies or implementing innovative policies and programmes which benefit humanity.
This prestigious award is named after Singapore’s first Prime Minister and present Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, who through his foresight and leadership, has enabled Singapore to attain sustainable water supply. The winner receives S$300,000, an award certificate and a gold medallion. As sole sponsor for the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, the Singapore Millennium Foundation, a philanthropic body supported by Temasek Holdings, has pledged S$1.5million over five years from 2008.
The nominations will undergo two rounds of rigorous selection and the winner was decided by the prize council comprising individuals of high international standing from academia, mutli-national corporations and government bodies. The council is chaired by Dr Tony Tan, Chairman of the National Research Foundation, Singapore.
Contact Information:
Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize Secretariat
Singapore International Water Week
82 Toh Guan Road East
#C4-03 WaterHub
Singapore 608576
Email : [email protected] , [email protected]
SINGAPORE : The inventor of an eco-friendly method of treating used water has been named this year's Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize winner.
The international award recognises outstanding contributions towards solving global water problems.
It will be handed out at the Singapore International Water Week in July.
In fish farming, algae that grow in the water is an important part of the ecology - as a food source for the marine life. However, excessive algae bloom can quickly turn fatal.
Dr James Barnard, winner of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, said: "Other organisms feed on the algae, fish feed on the other organisms, and of course we eat the fish. That is the normal chain of events.
"The main problem is when the system becomes imbalanced, the algae growth becomes excessive, and when it's excessive, it disturbs the water balance so the fish can no longer survive in it."
This happens when nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus are not removed from used water before being discharged into lakes and rivers.
In 2008, the outbreak of algae bloom in waters off China's Qingdao disrupted the Olympics sailing competition and damaged marine life.
Dr Barnard's technology, known as Biological Nutrient Removal, uses micro-organisms already present in the water to remove the nutrients.
Pioneered in the 1970s, this technology is currently used in thousands of water treatment plants worldwide.
It is more eco-friendly compared to traditional treatments as it does away with the use of resource-intensive chemicals. It can also result in up to 90 per cent of cost savings.
The Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize received a record 72 nominations from 29 countries this year. Dr Barnard's technology stood out from the competition for his innovative and cost-effectiveness in treating used water.
Dr Barnard said he would donate the S$300,000 cash prize to charity. The South African native also hopes to use the money to improve school systems in his country.
Past winners include Professor Gatze Lettinga from the Netherlands for his anaerobic technology for used water treatment, and Dr Andrew Benedek for pioneering low-pressure membranes.
- CNA/al
The Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize is the highlight of the Singapore International Water Week. This award honours outstanding contributions towards solving global water problems by either applying technologies or implementing innovative policies and programmes which benefit humanity.
This prestigious award is named after Singapore’s first Prime Minister and present Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, who through his foresight and leadership, has enabled Singapore to attain sustainable water supply. The winner receives S$300,000, an award certificate and a gold medallion. As sole sponsor for the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, the Singapore Millennium Foundation, a philanthropic body supported by Temasek Holdings, has pledged S$1.5million over five years from 2008.
The nominations will undergo two rounds of rigorous selection and the winner was decided by the prize council comprising individuals of high international standing from academia, mutli-national corporations and government bodies. The council is chaired by Dr Tony Tan, Chairman of the National Research Foundation, Singapore.
Contact Information:
Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize Secretariat
Singapore International Water Week
82 Toh Guan Road East
#C4-03 WaterHub
Singapore 608576
Email : [email protected] , [email protected]
