This year's winner of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize [1] is Professor Gatze Lettinga from The Netherlands for his Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor (UASB) technology [2].

This revolutionary treatment concept got awarded out of 39 international nominations. The technology enables industrial used water to be purified cost-effectively and produces renewable energy, fertilisers and soil conditioners. It has been widely used by both industry and municipalities, since Professor Lettinga has chosen not to patent this invention and has also shared his knowledge with young water engineers and professionals all over the world.

The Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize (named after Singapore’s first Prime Minister and present Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew) is an international award recognising an individual or organisation for outstanding contributions in the field of water. The award comes with a cash prize of SGD 300,000 [US$ 194,000 = € 154,000], an award certificate and a gold medallion. The award ceremony will be held on 24 June 2009 during the second Singapore International Water Week.

[1] Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize

[2] Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor

Related news:

• Gatze Lettinga: winner 2007 Tyler Prize, Source Weekly, 24 May 2007
• Adapting UASB technology for sewage treatment in Palestine and Jordan [research article], WASH News Middle East and North Africa blog, 3 Mar 2008

Related web site:Singapore International Water Week

Source:Singapore International Water Week, 9 Mar 2009

Tags: technology, wastewater treatment, water quality