International water awards announced

John Anthony Allan, Winner of the Stockholm Water Prize

The 2008 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate is John Anthony Allan, for his pioneering work in how understanding and communication of water issues are linked to agriculture, climate change, economics, and politics.

A professor at King’s College London and the School of Oriental and African Studies, Allan introduced the “virtual water” concept in 1993 to measure how much water is used to grow, package, and produce various commodities. For example, it takes 140 L of water to end up with a single cup of coffee.

The relationship between the export and import of water-intensive products has “opened the door to more productive water use,” according to the Stockholm International Water Institute, which confers the prize. Thus, Allan proposes, importing food can reduce the pressure on scarce water supplies.

The $150,000 prize will be presented in August in Stockholm during World Water Week events.

Also announced last week was the awarding of a new prize. Andrew Benedek, a member of AWWA and George Warren Fuller awardee, is the first recipient of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, which recognizes contributions to world water problems through the application of innovative technologies or programs.

Andrew Benedek, Winner of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize

A leader in membrane research and technology, Benedek founded ZENON Environmental to develop cost-effective membrane solutions for water treatment, which are being applied to wastewater, reclaimed water, industrial uses, home appliances, and desalination, as well as drinking water.

Benedek serves on several corporate and advisory boards and is a research associate at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography in San Diego.

An engineer with a PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Washington, Benedek has received honorary doctorates from the University of Ottawa, McGill University, and McMaster University, where he began his career. The Government of Canada recognized his contributions to his country with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.

The award, which carries a $300,000 (Singapore dollars) cash prize, will be presented during the Singapore International Water Week in June.

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