Singapore - Pioneering Dutch scientist wins LKY Water Prize

A renowned Dutch scientist and engineer who pioneered a superior process to remove nitrogen from waste water is this year's winner of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize.

Professor Mark van Loosdrecht, who specialises in the microbiology and biotechnology behind the treatment of used water, developed a process known as Anammox which is superior to other nitrogen removal techniques currently available.

The Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize was launched in 2008 to honour outstanding contributions in solving global water problems.

Prof van Loosdrecht's Anammox is not only more cost-effective, it also reduces the overall energy consumption, chemical usage and carbon emissions of conventional waste water treatment plants. This makes it more environmentally sustainable as well.

Anammox was initially adopted in the Netherlands, but variant plants have since been set up in numerous countries worldwide, including China, Japan and the United Kingdom.

'The adoption of such energy-saving technology is essential for used-water treatment plants seeking complete energy self-sufficiency and will be the future for the used-water treatment industry,' said Tan Gee Paw, chairman of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize Nominating Committee.

The PUB began Anammox trials in Singapore two years ago at the Changi Water Reclamation Plant with positive results.

'With this award, I am further encouraged to ensure that my technologies and research will continue to help create more sustainable solutions that are applicable to our modern world while protecting the quality of precious water,' said Prof van Loosdrecht.

The Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize award ceremony and banquet will be held during the Singapore International Water Week 2012 in July.

Amanda Eber

The Business Times.

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