Sponsored by:
The Award has now CLOSED for entries. Please note this
award will not be running in 2013.
The World of Difference Award was established in 2004 as a means
of rewarding the leading proponents of the practical application of
science and engineering for sustainable development. The Award
focuses on innovation in the water and energy sector; this can be a
product, project, or service that has made a difference. It
is sponsored by Black & Veatch, a global engineering,
construction and consulting company.
Award Criteria
To succeed entries will have to present ways of meeting
society's water and energy challenges. Solutions need to be both
innovative and also demonstrate sustainability by benefiting
society, the environment and the economy.
The scale of the solution proposed is immaterial. However,
entries will have to show they are already making a genuine
difference.
Submissions in connection with projects/initiatives that have
not previously received recognition are encouraged.
The Award is international and open to all, with the exception
of Black & Veatch employees.
Successful entrants will need to meet the aims and objectives of
CIWEM.
The Prize
The Award consists of a specially-commissioned trophy, publicity
for the winning entrant, a framed certificate, a cheque for £2000
and up to £500 to help towards travelling costs to receive
the award. The winning entrant will be outlined in
the CIWEM magazine.
The winner will be announced and the Award presented at the
CIWEM Annual Dinner in 2011.
How to Enter
Entries should be in the form of a summary report, up to ten A4
pages in length including illustrations. Sections should be
clearly marked and photographs and diagrams used to illustrate the
entry. The report should clearly outline how the entry meets
each of the award criteria.
The closing date for entries is the 18th February 2011.
If the file size is under 4MB please email your submission to awards@ciwem.org . If the file
size exceeds 4MB please send four individual copies on CDs or as
hard copies to Rosanna Geary, Policy Department, CIWEM, 15 John
Street, London, WC1N 2EB.
Images and project material may be used by CIWEM in award
promotion and publications. Permission will be sought from entrants
before material is used.
Previous Winners/Projects
2010
The 2010 winner of CIWEM's World of Difference Award
sponsored by Black and Veatch is 'The Wastewater Treatment
through Effective wetland Restoration (WATER) project', implemented
by WWF Laos, The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), WWT
Consulting and the Lao PDR government department of Science &
Technology (STEO). The project was centred around That Luang Marsh,
the largest remaining Marsh in Vientiane, Laos, and which plays a
major role in the treatment of the city's domestic and industrial
wastewater. Economic and population growth is putting increased
pressure on the marsh, leading to a decrease in the ability of the
marsh to perform essential ecosystem functions. Increased drainage
for unregulated construction, new industrial and domestic
wastewater sources, and increased toxic pollutants, have all
comprised its ability to treat effluent, reduced storm water
storage capacity and caused a decrease in local plant, bird and
fish species.
The project focused on using a low cost, low energy sustainable
solution to improve water quality for Vientiane City using wetland
treatment system technology instead of conventional wastewater
solution. It involved training local stakeholders in wetland
treatment system design, operation and maintenance and wetland
management; designing and constructed six wetland treatment systems
to treat both domestic and industrial pollution; and producing
plans for large scale wetlands that will treat the majority of the
city's wastewater. Demonstration wetlands were built to demonstrate
wetland treatment technology. These included a linear wetland
treatment system for Beer Lao, one of the largest industries in
Vientiane and part owned by Carlsberg, and one designed for None
Khor Primary school, in which the children are actively involved in
managing the system by helping clear vegetation whilst teachers
help monitor the system.
The project used designs which benefit the wildlife and provide
income for the people of Vientiane who rely directly on the marsh
for livelihoods. Speaking on behalf of the award's sponser, Black
and Veatch, managing director Matthew Nott commented: " This
project is a winner because it looks beyond providing a technical
fix and addresses the broader needs of the communities who rely on
the marsh [sic...]. WATER is about looking at the whole picture and
understanding fully the needs of people who need expert assistance;
not imposing a solution upon them". The project was funded by
EU ASIA PRO Eco II.
2007
The 2007 Award was presented to Duncan Mara representing the
Esholt Research Group for 'High-performance Low-cost Natural
Wastewater Treatment Systems for Small Villages in the United
Kingdom & Europe'. More...
James Ebdon was commended for his entry 'A Rapid, Low-Cost Tool
for Identifying Human Sources of Faecal Pollution in Aquatic
Environments'.
2006
The 2006 Award was presented to Aqua Enviro for their entry 'Glass
Media Reed Beds for Tertiary Treatment of Industrial Effluents'.
More...
2005
The 2005 Award was presented to was Northumbrian Water for Wear
Valley Water Treatment Works whilst the winner in 2004 was Water
Works UK Ltd for their GROW (Green Roof Water Recycling System)
project. More...
Further Information
Judges appointed by CIWEM will choose the winners. The judges'
decision on all matters relating to the competition is final.
Entrants are also encouraged to consider submitting a paper
about their project for publication in the CIWEM Journal.
Information about the Journal, including Guidance Notes for
Authors, can be found on the CIWEM web site here.
