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07. October 2007
Sweden
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Rewarding outstanding achievements with the Stockholm Water Prize

Around the world, many individuals, institutions and organisations are developing world-class best practices for the protection of water resources and the improvement of water and sanitation conditions. To encourage progress and reward achievements, Borealis and Borouge are co-founding the Stockholm Water Prize, the leading global award for outstanding water-related activities. Since 1991, the prize has been rewarding laureates active in the fields of aid, awareness building, education, engineering, health, international affairs, water policy development, water management and science.


Advancing science and promoting world-class best practices are essential to address the global water challenge in a sustainable manner. Many individuals and institutions, non-profit organisations, researchers and academics are developing outstanding water related activities, and they deserve recognition and encouragement.


In the spirit and prestige of the Nobel Prize, the Stockholm Water Foundation (SWF) has been rewarding outstanding achievements in the field of water resource management and wastewater solutions with the Stockholm Water Prize since 1991. Announced each year at the UN World Water Day on March 22, the prize laureate is then honoured each August in Stockholm at the UN World Water Day.


The prize is administered and awarded on behalf of the SWF by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), a leading policy institute that contributes to international efforts in finding solutions to the world’s water crisis. SIWI advocates future-oriented, knowledgeable decision making on water issues that leads to sustainable use of the world’s water resources, sustainable development of societies and reduced poverty.


Celebrating world-class achievements

An international nominating committee appointed by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences is responsible for reviewing the nominations and proposing a candidate.


Previous laureates come from the fields of aid, awareness building, education, engineering, health, international affairs, water policy development, water management and science. They include individuals and organisations such as the British charity WaterAid for its work in Africa and Asia (1995), and the Center for Science and Environment, under the directorship of Sunita Narain of India, for rethinking water harvesting techniques (2005).


The 2007 laureate, Professor Perry L. McCarty of Stanford University in the United States, was rewarded for his pioneering work in developing the scientific approach for design and operation of water and wastewater systems. Professor McCarty established the role of fundamental microbiology and chemistry in the design of bioreactors. He has furthermore defined the field of environmental biotechnology that is the basis for small and large-scale pollution control and safe drinking water systems.


With an award of USD 150,000, the Stockholm Water Prize is funded by the donations of a group of international founder companies, of which Borealis and Borouge are proud to take part.


The Stockholm Water Prize is supported by prominent organisations, such as the International Water Association (IWA), the International Water Resources Association (IWRA), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and WWF, the global conservation organisation. H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden is the Patron of the Stockholm Water Prize.


Securing a future with solutions

Any activity or actor that contributes broadly to the conservation and protection of the world’s water resources and to improved water conditions, which in turn contributes to the health of the planet’s inhabitants and ecosystems is eligible to be nominated for the Stockholm Water Prize. As the water crisis escalates, it is more important than ever to advance science and promote best practices that can lead to sustainable solutions. As co-founders of the Stockholm Water Prize, Borealis and Borouge are committed to making this happen.


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