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Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2009 Winner Calls on Minister Mentor

Published: 24 Jun 2009 09:11:52 PST

SIWW, Singapore, June 25, 2009 - ( ACN Newswire ) - Professor Gatze Lettinga from The Netherlands, the recipient of this year's Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, called upon Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew at the Istana today. He was accompanied by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources.

The Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize is an international award recognising an individual or organisation for outstanding contributions in the field of water. Such works have to solve the world's water problems through the application of revolutionary technologies or the implementation of innovative policies and programmes that benefit mankind.

Professor Lettinga has been awarded the prestigious prize for his environmentally-sustainable solution for the treatment of used water using anaerobic technology. His revolutionary treatment concept enables industrial used water to be purified cost-effectively and produces renewable energy, fertilizers and soil conditioners.

He has chosen not to patent this technology so that his water treatment technology can be universally available. As a result, this technology is in use in almost 3,000 reactors, representing about 80 percent of all anaerobic used water treatment systems in the world.

Professor Lettinga is in Singapore to deliver the 2nd Singapore Water Lecture during the Singapore International Water Week. He will also be receiving the Award from President S R Nathan at the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize Award Ceremony and Banquet at the Istana at 8pm tonight.

About PUB

PUB is a statutory board under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. It is the water agency that manages Singapore's water supply, water catchment and sewerage in an integrated way. PUB won the 2007 Stockholm Industry Water Award and was named Water Agency of the Year at the Global Water Awards 2006.

About PUB's tagline: Water for All: Conserve, Value, Enjoy

PUB has ensured a diversified and sustainable supply of water for Singapore with the Four National Taps (local catchment water, imported water, NEWater, desalinated water). To provide water for all, PUB calls on all Singaporeans to play our part to conserve water, keep our water catchments and waterways clean and build a relationship with water so we can enjoy our water resources. We can then have enough water for all uses - for industry, for living, for life.

AboutSingapore International Water Week

The Singapore International Water Week is the global platform for water solutions. It will bring policymakers, industry leaders, experts and practitioners together to address challenges, showcase technologies, discover opportunities and celebrate achievements in the water world. Comprising the Water Leaders Summit, Water Convention, Water Expo and Business Forums, it culminates in the presentation of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, a prestigious international award to recognise outstanding contributions in solving global water issues. The second Singapore International Water Week will be held from 22 to 26 June 2009 at Suntec Singapore. The theme is Sustainable Cities Infrastructure and Technologies for Water. For the latest updates and media releases on the Singapore International Water Week, log onto www.siww.com.sg

Contact :

Lim Siew Wee
Senior Manager, Communications
PUB, the national water agency
Lim_siew_wee@pub.gov.sg

Dilys Quek
Senior Officer, Communications
PUB, the national water agency
Dilys_quek@pub.gov.sg