Finalists
2008 Stockholm
Junior Water PrizeFinalists 2008

The Stockholm
Junior Water Prize
Water and Young People – Linked to the Future
The international Stockholm Junior Water Prize contest aims toencourage young people’s interest in issues concerning waterand the environment.
The award is given annually for an outstanding water project by
a young person or a small group of young people. With this, thecompetition seeks to inspire young people to a continued engagement in water and related subjects.
While the global water environment remains in peril, the future
depends on our ability to manage this life-sustaining resource.
Today’s youth are indeed tomorrow’s leaders and must be encouraged to pursue water-related careers or our scarce supply risk
further erosion.
The finalists at the international competition are the winners ofnational Stockholm Junior Water Prize contests. The national andinternational competitions are open
to pre-university people between
15–20 years of age who haveconducted water related projects
focusing on local, regional, national
or global topics of environmental,
scientific, social or technologicalimportance.
The winner of the international Stockholm Junior Water Prizereceives a USD 5,000 award and ablue crystal sculpture in the shapeof a water droplet. The national
competitions have inspired young H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria
people around the world to become of Sweden is the Patron of theactive in water issues.
Stockholm Junior Water Prize.

The International
Nominating Committee
The international Nominating Committee includes experts within thefield of water who, by committee consensus, appoint the winner ofthe international contest. The decision is based on the written reportand a short presentation of the display material. The Stockholm
Water Foundation Board appoints the Committee members.
2008 Nominating Committee members are:
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2

Dr. Magnus Enell (Chair), Sweden
Dr. Mercy Dikito-Wachtmeister, Sweden
Mr. Björn von Euler, USA
Ms. Charlotte de Fraiture, Sri Lanka
Dr. Nighisty Ghezae, Sweden
Ms. Linda Kelly, USA
Dr. Piet Lens, The Netherlands
Ms. Tabeth Matiza-Chiuta, South Africa
Ms. Susana Sandoz, Bolivia
Ms. Elin Weyler (Secretary), SIWI, Sweden

Finalists 2008

In Argentina, many lack access to drinking water and sanitation
services and the water available to these people is generally
contaminated. The purpose of the Argentinean project was toprovide an alternative treatment method for biologically contaminated water. The idea was to use indigenous knowledge
to identify and test plants that are known for their medicinal
uses. The group selected and tested different concentrations
and found that the acetone extract in Tanacetum vulgare
and its essential oil produced the desired effect against
fungi. Experiments were carried out with pre-treated water.
A 3-hour post-treatment with essential oil (0.4 percent V/V)
confirmed the plants ability to make water potable. The water
was rendered drinkable and safe for human consumption inaccordance to official standards. The next step will be to evaluate any potentially toxic components of the essential oil. The
environmental impact of its use as a decontamination agent
should also be assessed. The group also plans to investigate
Tanacetum vulgare’s possibile use as a substitute for chlorine
in sewage treatment plants, because of the plants effect on
micro-organisms.
Water Filtration Utilising Sea Shells
By Gwylim Klippel-Cooper
Water, in particular clean drinking water, is one of Australia's
current concerns. Gwylim Klippel-Cooper began his researchasking, how can Australia survive through the present drought?
The answer he derived was to investigate innovative methodsof water purification.
Therefore, he sought to test the effectiveness of different sea shells to neutralise the pH level and lower the
hardness and opaqueness of water. Two experiments wereconducted: First, a consistent ‘dirty’ water solution wasused to test the hypothesis. A second experiment used
the findings to test the ability of a shell filter to neutralise
pH and lower the hardness and opaqueness of water
passing through within a flowing stream. The results ofthe two experiments indicated an increase in the pH levelof the samples containing the shells and a softening of
the water. This is a cheap and environmentally friendly
method of cleansing water, which Gwylim Klippel-Cooper
hopes can provide an alternative to countries exploring theuse of water desalination plants that use large amounts ofelectricity and discharge extremely salty wastewater. He
concluded that the possible use of shells to purify water
should be further explored.

BelarusTanacetum Vulgare – Exotic Plant which has theProperty to Render Bacteriological Contaminated
Water Drinkable
By Enzo Belloli, Ivan Mazurek and Diego Pellegrino

CanadaAustr alia

AR G E N TI N A

Finalists 2008
Fruit Peel Recycling – Application of Fruit
Biopolymers for Heavy Metal Ions and Radio
Nuclides Extraction from Water Systems
By Tatjana Kirpicheva, Maxim Rodjkin and Arthur Sancevich
The Belarusian team sought to find a cheap and effective
method for cleaning water in local contaminated swamps.
The students evaluated and undertook different methods,
including GPS-mapping, pH measurements, testing of sorption
capacity of fruit peels, a poll of 500 students, an estimationof copper and lead ion concentration and an estimation of
Cs-137 radioactivity of water samples.
Their analysis showed that the fruit peels could be used
as an effective environmental sorbent. They found, forexample, that the Orange sorbent is able to bind 182 mg/gof copper and apple can accumulate 160 mg/g of lead anddecreases the radioactivity of a solution from 160 to 107
Bk/l. Apple and orange peels, moreover, are able to adsorb
1.5×102 CFU/g of microbes, which proves that they canbe used in cases of organic contamination. The students
tested their theory by adding pectin rich fruits in swamps,
and evaluated the potential disturbance of local bird fauna
and water characteristics. They concluded that applying fruit
peels was able to reduce contamination to permissible levels
without large financial inputs or disturbing the ecosystem.
E-Light-Minating the Thirst – Improving a Solar Water
Disinfection Method Using a Physical Approach
By Janie Côté and Ariane Litalien
Waterborne diseases are currently the number one cause ofdeath globally, killing a child every fifteen seconds. In orderto provide freshwater supplies, scientists have developed asolar water disinfection method (SODIS) that uses sunlight.
Unfortunately, SODIS presents several critical unsolved problems that are health-threatening for millions of people.
The purpose of Côté and Litalien's research was to improve
the system in an accessible way. They reviewed scientific researchin order to identify, study, and understand the SODIS problems.
They designed a manual centrifuge, an insulating box and an
optical system and conducted several experiments. Escherichia
coli-contaminated water was used to compare the new system’s
efficiency to standard SODIS under real sunlight conditions, andthe new disinfection method increased the efficiency by one
hour. The results suggested that the new method improved themicrobiological quality of the treated water. The Canadian project
eliminates SODIS problems, such as the inability to treat large
or turbid volumes of water. The results, including the designed
method’s future development, social, and innovative potential,
were discussed. Complementary experiments conducted withseveral different pathogens were suggested.
3

4

Petroleum contamination of water and soil is an increasingly
severe problem. Jorge Chacón and Mario Pozzo searched tosolve this challenge by investigating bacterial strains capable ofdegenerating contaminated soil and water bio-remediation. They
gathered and isolated bacteria from hydrocarbon contaminatedsoils using a Bioreactor-Biodegradator. The finalists from Chilethen tested the Pseudomona type bacteria on agar plates thatwere covered by thin layers of petroleum, crude oil and ordinary
sterile sea water. Sterile cellulose discs (bactediscs) were also
tested and the effects of petroleum solubilisation (making thepetroleum more soluble through a detergent) were investigated.
The results showed that the bacteria were capable of developing even in a highly petroleum contaminated environment. The
bio-remediation even occurred on bean and lentil seedlings thatwere soaked with crude oil and petroleum. The possible “digestive solubilisation” of these bacteria constitutes the basis of theprocess of bio-remediation of petroleum contamination. Jorge
Chacón and Mario Pozzo hope that the strain they have isolated
can be a small but concrete contribution to decontaminate ourplanet and make both people and ecosystems healthier.
The Intelligent Irrigation Control System
By Yuqian Wu
Yuqian Wu designed the Intelligent Irrigation Control Systemwith the objective to provide plants with the ideal growing
environment. To do this, he analysed the photosynthetic
and soil respiration rates and the optimal soil moisture fordifferent plants. By using a single chip to control the entire
system, complete automatic irrigation eliminated the needfor constant manual attention and improved the efficientuse of water and energy. The Intelligent Irrigation Control
System has been tested on a 200 m² large rooftop for the
past 13 months in Guangzhou, China. The system has not
required additional energy sources and has used only 5 cubic
metres of tap water. It has also achieved a third objective of
not requiring constant attendance, making it a completely
automatic control system. The system is inexpensive andtherefore may be used in the agricultural industry and in"green city" environmental promotion projects, especiallythose concerned with greening deserts. In future developments of the Intelligent Irrigation Control System, functions
concerning seasonal variations and plant growth phases may
be added to achieve effective irrigation.

Denmark

Isolation and Action of Decontaminating Petroleum
Bacteria
By Jorge Chacón and Mario Pozzo

Finland

China

Chile

Finalists 2008
Fabulous Water
By Carit Brødsgaard Hansen and Omar Oueiti
Eutrophication frequently results from nutrient pollution
caused by, for example, run-off from fertiliser used inagriculture. In many parts of Denmark, eutrophication
has led to natural waters suffering from excessive plant
growth and decay. Water bodies are slowly being overrunby certain invasive species of weeds that dominate overother plant species and are the likely cause of severe
reductions in water quality, caused by factors such as
oxygen depletion.
In this project, Carit Brødsgaard Hansen and Omar
Oueiti observed domestic waters to highlight problems ofoxygen depletion. The finalists found that one of the culpritsof eutrophication is ammonia emissions. They decided totackle the problem by finding ways to prevent the ammonia
from leaking into the ground and water sources. Hence,
they developed and tested three possible methods to trap
ammonia from the air and showed that it is possible to trap
airborne ammonia from manure in a water filter. With thehelp of the solutions presented in the project, the Danish
team hopes to have played a part in the fight to protect
nature from ammonia pollution.
Does the River Continuum Concept Work in Small
Rivers that Begin from Swamps?
By Noora Nuutinen and Tiina Pippuri
The River Continuum Concept predicts how biological communities might change from headwater streams to larger rivers.
Noora Nuutinen and Tiina Pippuri of Finland were interested tofind out if and how this concept applies to northern coniferous
forest areas in their country. To do this, they made observations on the biological, hydrological and morphological factors
on every part of a river in Finland. These factors were thenanalysed and compared with what would be expected using
the theory on River Continuum. The students found that witha small exception of invertebrates in one area, their results
followed the River Continuum Concept quite closely. The
analysis showed that the vegetation and invertebrates displayedsigns of eutrophication. This was especially strong in the lower
part of the river. The students propose that the river should
be monitored annually. They suggested that Finnish upper
secondary students could undertake this monitoring for the
local authorities to use when planning new construction. The
results can be used to help maintain biodiversity and beautyof the environment and allow versatile use of the area.

The island marshes of St. Quentin, located in a nature reservein northern France, are monitored annually in order to plan the
management operations of the important habitats. The Frenchgroup, students of agronomy and environment, decided toinvestigate methods to improve one of the central challenges
that this natural reserve faces: reed-bed restoration.
To do this, they used a standardised biological index
that is employed in France to assess the biogenic tendency
of a water course station. Next, they made an inventoryof aquatic invertebrates to assess the general quality ofa stream. They then worked on methods to maintain thereed-beds which are located in a crucial area for fish (suchas pike) spawning and reproduction. One method, forexample, was the regular raking out of reeds to prevent
decomposed material from clogging the beds. The groupwill follow up the current study by looking into the potential application of another, more straight-forward methodof reed-bed management – grazing. They are convincedthat herbivores, such as sheep, can manage the reed-beds
both directly and effectively.
Reconstruction of the Mitochondrial Metabolism in
Diatoms
By Anika Wranke
At least 50 percent of global photosynthesis takes place inthe oceans. Relatively complex algae, called diatoms, are themain marine primary producers. Their global photosynthetic
oxygen production is probably equivalent of all land plants andaccounts for about 40 percent of the marine photosynthesis
taking place in global oceans. The chloroplasts of diatoms
have been intensely investigated, but not the mitochondria.
Anika Wranke’s research question asked an important question: Are mitochondria involved in the success of diatoms?
To find out, she used a new method of analysing genome
sequences – genomics – consisting of known genes. The
research aimed to identify and determine the function of
mitochondrial genes. As identifying and calculating all theindividual genes was impossible due to time constraints,
Anika instead applied a creative method that indicates theprobability of a gene to be localised to the mitochondrion.
She used this method to filter out potential mitochondrial
genes, which were then identified and mapped to biochemical pathways. Her research uncovered that the mitochondrial
genes control the amino acid metabolism of serine, threonine
and glycine.

Ghana

The Picardie Naïades – The Protection andRehabilitation of Natural Wetlands
By Laura Bienfait-Lelong, Charline Carlier and Simon Goire

In d i a

G ERMA N YFranceFinalists 2008

How Water Resources Can be Managed andProtected through Public Education – A Case of the
Zenu Community in Ghana
By Isaac Barnes
A dam has been constructed on the Zenu River to provide theZenu community with water for irrigation and to a lesser extent
household water. But the quality of the water is deteriorating
rapidly. This is because inhabitants defecate and throw waste
in the river, which people also use for bathing and drinking.
As a result, water related diseases have tragically become
prevalent in the area. Isaac Barnes’ project aimed to educate
the members of his local society on how water resources
should be managed and protected. He studied the causesof the problems as well as the attitudes of individuals in thecommunity towards those problems. He then produced a playthat informed inhabitants on the importance of protecting
the water. His project engaged local pupils, who preformed itin different places in the area. A positive response from thecommunity members resulted in them taking up a clean-up
exercise. Follow up activities have shown a drastic reduction
in littering and defecating on the banks of the river and dam.
This proves that drama is a useful medium to reach communities, especially those with low literacy levels.
An Innovative Water Purification Technique Using
Moringa Oleifera Seeds
By Saurabh Kumar
During a brief survey of some of the peri-urban localities of
the city Lucknow, Saurabh Kumar observed that a majorityof people were compelled to use contaminated water. He
decided to examine how to supply safe drinking water ataffordable prices. He looked into traditional water purification techniques and worked on their feasible application in
the local community.
Discussions with inhabitants and traditional knowledge practitioners revealed that methods like flocculation,
coagulation and sedimentation are inappropriate because,
besides being damaging to human health and the environment, chemical coagulants are difficult to come by and are
expensive. Seed extracts of drumstick (Moringa oleifera,
locally known as Sehjan) act as a natural coagulant and canbe used to purify water with high levels of turbidity. When
dried, crushed and powdered, drumstick seeds are added
to water and binds dirt particles and bacteria at a successrate of 90-99.9 percent. The coagulated particles sink to thebottom, leaving clear, clean water which can be poured out.
The process is simple, requires minimal investment, and thetrees can be grown in the communities.
5

Ja pa n
6

Ja pa nFish farming – aquaculture – in artificial ponds may help toalleviate the problem of overfishing of the global oceans.
Development of artificial sea water ponds can therefore
be seen as a desired development, but salt water fish are
not easy to cultivate. That is because plankton – their food
– are very small and sensitive organisms. Knowledge onplankton conditions is therefore a prerequisite for salt wateraquaculture. Unfortunately, however, present monitoring ofplankton is done by examining samples through microscopes– a tedious and time consuming process. The Israeli project
created an efficient method of plankton characterisation to
apply to an autonomic sea water artificial pond. The students
used a mechanical device and developed a computer programme to greatly reduce the identification and monitoringtime. The group’s main contribution is the adaptation anddevelopment of three algorithms, which serve to analyse
microscope images of water samples, to characterise plankton
needed by the fish larvae instead. This is achieved primarily
by the algorithm which counts the number of bulges of thedifferent plankton.

L at v i a

Contribution to Alleviation of Food and Water
Scarcity by Improved Plankton Monitoring in
Artificial Sea Water Ponds
By Nitzan Ben Noun, Idan Dechner and Guy Holdengreber

Healthy Springs
By Ilena Avateneo, Omar Marello and Gabriella Marengo
Ilena Avateneo, Omar Marello and Gabriella Marengo haveaimed to compare illnesses of different organs with treatment of household water. They have also compared thechemical-physical characteristics of store-bought bottled water
normally available with the spring water from their own region.
They concluded that the use of the natural spring water isadvantageous from both an economical and environmental
perspective and could even be used in water therapy. The
group described the therapeutic influence of water on conditions such a gout, calculosis, gastritis and constipation. They
also investigated the relationship between advertisement andconsumption of bottled water, as well as the environmental
impact from Italian consumption of bottled water. In order toharness and give added value to local water resources while
reducing the consumption of bottled water, they suggesteda regional database that subdivides the springs according totheir properties be created. This would allow anyone to findthe best type of water for treating their particular condition
and the location of the springs. The local water sources
should be promoted as healthy and free.
Giant Salamander’s Preservation Saves the Aquatic
Environment – Genetic Analysis for Successful
Achievement of the Releasing Project
By Minami Kiuchi, Masato Nitta and Masahiro Otao
Despite historic and continued efforts to protect them, theGiant Salamander – a symbol of Japanese nature and culture – remains an endangered species. The Japanese groupdecided to contribute to the preservation of the salamanders
and their habitat by increasing both their own and the overall
understanding of the amphibian. Their analysis of the mitochondrial and nuclear genes of the Giant Salamander demonstrated that genetic variation is extremely poor between

MexicoI ta ly

Is r a e l

Finalists 2008
populations of the salamander in different areas. They also
found that the populations are genetically divided into two
distinct groups, west and east, although the differences aretiny. The west group, furthermore, has three smaller different
sub-groups. They are convinced that the results would be useful for a careful hatch-and-release programme to help avoid
gene disturbance. In a novel approach to spread awarenessof the importance of the gene composition, Minami Kiuchi,
Masato Nitta and Masahiro Otao transformed the genetic
code of the salamander into a musical score. They hope thatby hearing this melody, people will appreciate the wonder oflife and the importance of saving the aquatic environment.
Water Enriched with Coral Calcium
By Arita Kreslina and Linda Viksne
The Latvian project evaluated the efficiency of an alternative method of raising the quality of water and humanliving standards. They gathered data on coral calcium andthe prime minerals it provides (calcium, magnesium andiron), which they analysed through practical experiments
in order to determine both physiochemical and biologicalparameters of the enriched water. The complexonometricand spectrophotometric analysis proved that coral calcium
enriches water. The pH examination showed that coralcalcium raises the solution’s pH and the microbiologicalanalysis confirmed that the enriched water contained fewer
bacteria than normal drinking water. They detected a great
difference when comparing the forms of frozen crystals.
They concluded that enriching water with coral calcium
does improve water quality and affects its physiochemicaland biological parameters. In addition, using the enrichedwater on a regular basis can help the human body to raise
its immunities to fight the negative influence of the surrounding environment because it lessens the chance ofexperiencing the shortage of water and such significant
minerals as calcium, magnesium and others.
Macroalgae – An Alternative for Treating
Wastewater from Shrimp Farms in Sinaloa, México
By José Humberto Ramírez Leyva
Shrimp farming is a primary economic activity along the coastsof Mexico. However, the release of nutritient-rich wastewaterhas very negative effects on the farms’ surrounding environment, especially the wetlands, which have been completely
or partially destroyed. As a result, their ecological carrying
capacity has dramatically decreased.
José Humberto Ramírez Leyva proposes an alternative
to reduce the large quantities of nitrogen and phosphorus
present in the wastewater. Complimentary cultivation ofmacro algae, which use the nutrients to grow, would decrease
pollution and open up alternative income sources for the
farmer. The macro algae can, for example, be used for oil
extraction, food, or biomass production. The finalist built two
ponds, one of which simulated a shrimp farm, with white Litopenaeus vannamei shrimps. In the other pond he introduced
the seaweed Ulva lactuca and reused the shrimp water with
its high nutrient content. In this second pond he detecteda significantly reduced amount of nitrogen and phosphorus
in the wastewater. Introducing this method in conventional
shrimp farming could decrease the environmental damageon the coastal wetlands.

Nor way

Simple Approach to Safe Water Accessibility andAffordability as a Source for Fish Farming
By Maryam Cam, Okugbene Ejiroghene and Hope Izevbigie Iyobosa
Accessing safe water in rural communities in the Nigerdelta region is not easy. Most of the water stems fromrivers and streams which are also used for cleaning andother human activities. A community effort is importantto preserve and protect accessible drinking water inorder to ensure that it is kept affordable and safe. The
Nigerian project seeks to address this problem by creating a safe source of water and contribute to an extra
source of income for the local communities. The newsource of income introduced comes from the local fish
farming project. The drinking water is channelled from astream to a reservoir where it is filtered, heated, purified
and redirected to the community as safe drinking water.
Children play a very vital role in water collection and are
more exposed to water borne diseases. This is because
they often go directly to untreated streams and take thewater before it has passed the treatment channel. The
group, who are part of the Young Water Action Gender
Team, have campaigned and advocated that youth should
be involved in water decisions.
Lake Storeid – Nature Reserve in a Cultural Landscape
By Morten Bergheim, Tore Halse and Aleksander KnædalMorten Bergheim, Tore Halse and Aleksander Knædal havecollected and analysed a large quantity of information about
Storeid Lake, located in a nature reserve in northern Norway.
The purpose of their research was to obtain information toproject future management of the Lake and its traditionalsurrounding landscape. Ultimately, this information will serveand be available to the local community.
The group took several factors into account to make its
projections: the lake’s history (including its eutrophication),current water quality, the species living in and around thenature reserve, the use of the area, and the strain on the area

Nor way

The Dutch project uses the new and advanced technologyof electro-spraying in order to desalinate seawater for agricultural purposes on dry farmlands, where alternative water isscarce. Electro-spraying is used for various applications, suchas medicine specified for lung patients or pesticide spraying.
In this project the seawater is diverted through small nozzles through which an electric charge is applied to positively
charge saltwater particles. Through gravity, electric forces andrepellence, the droplet at the edge of the nozzle is diverted
into a mist of extremely fine, charged particles. Most of thismist evaporates, leaving a mixture of positively charged salt
water particles and neutral vapour. The vapour is separated
from the salt water particles by a second electrical field that
attracts the water particles. It is then transported out of thechamber where it condenses and can be collected. When
1,500 consecutive electro-spraying components are used,
the harvesting capacity is up to 125,000 litres per hour. The
estimated cost per litre is low (USD 0,15 for 1000 litres)
and the return on investment is estimated at 5 percent
profit per year.

R u ss i a n F e d e r a t i on

El Oro Azul – The Blue Gold
By Fréderique Baas, Fons Mentink and Michiel Roelofs

S i ng a po r e

Nigeria

The Netherlands

Finalists 2008
posed by tourism and construction. Then they projected possible futures over 50 year timescales where various scenarios
were shown as possible results of different management
choices. They detected a reduction in water levels and foundthat plant growth along the edges would decrease the lake’s
size and change the beaches dramatically. They propose thatthese changes can be mitigated by grazing animals, logging
and a complete stop of nutrient leakage. The group are planning to contribute their information to the local plans thatare being revised and inform the community on the stateof the lake.
Restoration of Water Reservoirs Using Latent
Phases of Aquatic Organisms
By Alexey Shinkarev
Creating sustainable biological communities is needed torestore polluted water reservoirs and construct artificial
water bodies. Alexey Shinkarev examined well-known
properties of zooplankton organisms (such as ascysts,
spores, ephippiums, etc.) to withstand adverse weather
conditions through hibernation. He developed a method forthe restoration and reproduction of aquatic biodiversity. His
method has been tested in two small man-made reservoirs
and in a small but highly polluted river of Bulak near thecity of Kazan. The introduction of latent phases of aquaticorganisms increased the biodiversity of zooplankton in theriver by 7 times and its biomass increased by 149 times.
Self-purification properties, measured by hydro-chemical
indicators of water pollution, increased. The project provedthat latent phases of hydrobionts can be stored for long
periods of time (using low-temperature stratification
techniques) and then reactivated before introduction inwater reservoirs. The proposed solution is ecologicallysafe, low-cost, and labour-saving. This makes it widely
applicable for environmental restoration and rehabilitationof water reservoirs.
Design and Optimisation of a Portable Low-cost
Distillation Modular Unit
By Rajarshi Roy, Shao Yang Koh and Chengxu Wang
The occurrence of natural disasters in Asia like the tsunami
in Indonesia (Aceh) in 2004, Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar in2008 and more recently the earthquake in China (Sichuan)further highlights the need to provide safe drinking water forareas where fresh water supply is contaminated or even cut
off from the survivors of the disasters.
The objective of the Singaporean project was to design
an innovative new system that utilises thermal distillationand scale it to a level for use by a low-income household
or for disaster relief efforts. The main considerations areportability, cost and ease of maintenance. The design
comprises three key modules for evaporation, condensation and collection. The unit was described and thepreliminary performance of the prototype’s evaporationand condensation unit was discussed. In essence, the processes of thermal distillation were observed to take placein the prototype but require further intensive optimisation
to yield enough water for storage. This study gives insight
into an innovative and alternate method of desalination
which is economical and possibly effective under optimal
temperature climate.
78Natural ecosystems in central Europe have been heavily
impacted over the past century. Riverine wetlands are among
the most threatened ecosystems due to their dependence
on specific water dynamics. Regulation of rivers effects the
dynamic equilibrium of their sediment deposits in the rivers
and as a consequence, natural degradation and disappearanceof old oxbows are no longer compensated by the creationof new ones. Oxbows are U-shaped river or lake bodies andtheir degradation is accelerating. Oliver Rovný studied how
different ecological factors resulting from river regulation in
the Moraca River in Slovakia threaten the aquatic characterof various types of oxbows. The research analysed threeimportant ecological factors responsible for successive oxbow
destruction: vegetation dynamics, fine sediments and water
dynamics. The results showed that significant water dynamics of oxbows close to rivers inhibit their succession and that
decreasing water levels in the long run is a decisive factor to theoxbow’s disappearance. Furthermore he found that there is a
specific phase in oxbows terrestrification when the aggradationand erosion processes reach a dynamic equilibrium.
Aquatic Life vs. Pollution – Does Man Pose a Threat?
By Raksha Gosai
South Africa lies on one of the busiest shipping routes in theworld. Oil pollution is a huge threat to the health of ecosystems in and surrounding the coast. Oil is not only spilled in
the disasters that make the news. Little attention is drawn to
the hundreds of millions of gallons of oil that end up in theocean each year. In her project, Raksha Gosai investigates how
varying pollutants of different concentrations harm aquatic
life. In order to find out the effects, Raksha Gosai exposed
Daphnia Pulex (a type of “water flea” sensitive to poor waterconditions and involved in many of the food chains necessary to sustain fish) to investigate the effects of oil, petrol,
chlorine, detergent, sunlight, dishwashing liquid, pesticides
and antifreeze. The results showed that the pollutants did
indeed have a negative effect on the Daphnia Pulex. The
highest concentrations of pollutants were the most lethal to
the Daphnia. The information gained from this experimentwill help biologists and the public to learn and become moreaware on both the general and specific ways that pollution
harms regional and global environments.

Spa inNegative Impact of River Regulation on Oxbow
Ecosystems
By Oliver Rovný

Sri Lanka

S o u t h Af r i c a

S l ov a k i a

Finalists 2008
System to Generate Electricity Taking Advantage of
the Tides
By Alicia Gonzalez Piñedo
Tides are caused by the gravitational pull from the moonand sun combined with the rotation of the earth. Potentially,
the tides could provide great amounts of energy to be usedby humans. Especially since the tides are a reliable andunlimited source of energy and act independent of otherfactors. In her study, Alicia Gonzalez Piñedo aimed to use
the tides to generate electricity that has a minimal impact
on the environment. The project was designed to make useof the force of tidal water to move generators that produce
energy. At the same time the system was constructed tostore air displaced by the water in deposits which could be
used later to produce energy. Finally, the system generated
a vacuum in those deposits which also could be used to
produce more energy. The system created by Alicia Gonzalez
Piñedo is capable of generating 144 Kilowatt hours of electricity per month per cubic metre of water. This means thatthe system requires only 20,43 cubic metres of water per
house in order to supply electricity efficiently. This is very
effective compared to other methods to generate powerfrom the tidal water.
Firewood Hearth Distiller for Safe Drinking Water
for Vulnerable Rural Population
By R.D. Dasun Thakshala Siriwardana, Sandun Gayath
Sameera Dissanayaka and A. Sujith Madushan Silva
Approximately 3 out of 20 million people in Sri Lanka lacksafe drinking water. Only 31 percent of people have accessto pipe borne water supplies and only 10 percent haveaccess to hand pump tube wells. Health authorities proposethat communities and individuals boil water, but many havedifficulties to get firewood to do so. The Sri Lankan team
improved an existing combustion stove called “Anagi Unduna.”
Combustion stoves lose 73 percent of the heat used while
cooking. The Sri Lankan team took the initiative to look to
use this energy to provide distilled water. A prototype wasdeveloped and has been experimented with three samples
collected from three different areas representing the dry
zone of the country. Thereafter the results for the wasteenergy utilisation and water purification in three samples
were compared. Using the firewood hearth distiller, fluoride,
nitrate and salinity concentrations could be removed by 99
percent from drinking water.

Ukraine

UkraineNutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are dependent
on a cycle between human and nature. However, humanintervention has created a non-recycling system where thenutrients are lost to watercourses. The abundant supplementof artificial fertiliser and the treatment of wastewater are someof the reasons for this loss. In order to balance the cycle, thenutrients should be returned to the ground from which they
originate. In sewage, urine possesses the majority of thenutrients. By separating the urine before it is mixed with othercomponents, it is possible to return the nutrients for use inagriculture. Furthermore, urine-diversion systems can improve
sanitation conditions in developing countries. Anna Rengstedt
studied the nutrient cycle and urine separation. In addition,
she performed a small-scale experiment with the purpose ofinvestigating how urine performs as a fertiliser compared toartificial fertilisers. She concluded that urine can be an effective substitute for fertiliser. The extent to which urine will be
productively used will largely depend on our attitude towards
urine separation and its usage as a fertiliser.

USA

Restoring the Natural Cycle of Nutrients
By Anna Rengstedt

Obtaining Drinkable Water from Rivers, Seas andLakes in Events of Disasters Using a New Type ofSolar Panel Distiller and UVC
By Berk Özdemir
Obtaining safe drinking water can be very difficult for people
in areas that are struck by natural disasters. In many dry
regions of the world, clean water is always a scarce resource.
In these areas and across the world, wastewater can alsopose a serious threat to human health. Available methods
to clean water, such as boiling, chlorine treatment, reverse
osmosis, solar energy, etc., are expensive. Berk Özdemirtherefore developed a method to clean water using a solar
panel and Ultraviolet A beams that are both inexpensive andenvironmentally friendly. After surveying different methods ofcleaning water, Berk Özdemir developed a solar panel fromcheap, easily available materials. The solar panel heats andevaporates wastewater. The clean water then condenses on
glass and runs into a collection cup. A solar charged UV lamp
integrated into the system produces UV-light, which is able
to eliminate bacteria and micro-organisms. The final productis clean drinking water. The system is capable of producing
microbiologically and chemically clean water in accordance
to the established standards in Turkey.
Obtaining Potable Water with the Help of Sun and Air
By Timur Fatkullin, Ganna Shevchenko and Zarema Umerova
The Ukrainian project proposes two methods that utilise
solar power to produce clean drinking water. Both methods
obtain potable water by condensing air moisture that has
been heated by the sun by placing water on either crushedstone heaps or between a closed space above a surfaceof sea water. The first method relies on the sun to heat
the stones (it is only possible on sunny days). At night,
the sea breeze brings moisture to the mounds of crushedstones. The larger the differences in temperatures there
are between night and day, the greater the capacity is tocondense water. Constructing the stone heaps is inexpensive

and has no negative influences on an environment since it
is a natural condensing mechanism. The second method
involves heating a thin layer of water to high temperature
with solar rays. The water vapour satiates the air layer ina closed space above the water surface and the moisturefrom the air is channelled through a water tank by a systemof air channels where it cools and condenses. The waterobtained through these methods could be used in a varietyof places, such as at farms, houses, “green oases” or on
camping grounds.
Modelling the Toxic Effects of Silver Nanoparticles
under Varying Environmental Conditions
By Joyce Chai
Silver nanoparticles (NP) abundance in the nanotechnology
consumer market has made "nanosilver" a major concern
in the scientific community. The investigation attempts tomodel and quantify the toxicity of nanosilver under varying environmental conditions. It measures the reliability ofa nanosilver consumer product. In Phase I and II of theinvestigation, a novel, high-throughput bacterial toxicity
assay was developed to quantify the toxicity of nanosilver.
Most importantly, Phase III of this investigation repudiated the assertion that silver NP are more reliable andless environmentally hazardous. The study demonstrated
three essential concepts. First, the bacterial toxicity assay
technique is a reliable, reproducible approximation of thepotential toxicities of silver NP. Second, silver NP induce
significantly higher toxic effects, including overwhelming cell
death and cell inactivity, than silver ions do in the environment and water sources. Finally, the practical applicationof the toxicity assay substantiates the known efficacy ofsilver NP, but questions the reliability of using nanosilver
consumer products. This investigation took steps toward
understanding and quantifying the potential environmental
consequences and risks of using NP.

VietnamTurkeySwedenFinalists 2008

Moment Filter for Household
By An Dinh Tran Vu
The aim of An Dinh Tran Vu’s project was to find a safe
way to collect and discharge household wastewater. Even
simple water treatment technologies, such as a filter ofactivated carbon, can contribute significantly to protecting
water sources in Vietnam. His research improved common
household manholes, which block solid waste to avoid
obstacles in the drainage pipe but do not include any
wastewater treatment. Therefore, thousands of chemicals
are discharged into the water environment causing serious
water pollution and risk infecting humans and other organisms. An Dinh Tran Vu’s experiment was implemented overnine days and obtained good results. An average filter’s
efficiency was 70-85 percent, and the odour of detergent,oil, grease and toxic chemicals was not detected. Analysesof the filtered waste water by his moment filter satisfied
Vietnamese wastewater discharge standards.
The filter is inexpensive and easy to apply in every regionof Vietnam, which makes wide-spread application quite feasible. The filter is also able to capture and clean rainwater
to increase the water source for domestic water supply for
agriculture both in Vietnam and internationally.

9

Finalists 2008

Stockholm Junior Water Prize Finalists, 2007.

Stockholm Junior Water Prize Winners
2007
Adriana Alcántara Ruiz, Dalia Graciela Díaz Gómez and Carlos Hernández
Mejía, Mexico, were awarded the Prize for a project that developed anovel approach to adsorb lead in industrial wastewater using eggshells,
an abundant and inexpensive bio-residual.

2006
In 2006, Wang Hao, Xiao Yi and Weng Jie, China, won the Prize for their
originality and ingenuity in their use of low-cost, ecologically friendly
technology to restore a polluted urban river channel.
2005
In 2005, Pontso Moletsane, Motebele Moshodi and Sechaba Ramabenyane, South Africa, won the Prize for their revolutionary solution tominimise the need for water in small-scale irrigation. They developed
a low-current electric soil humidity sensor which uses light detection
to control water pipe valves and improve irrigation efficiency.
2004
Tsutomu Kawahira, Daisuke Sunakawa and Kaori Yamaguti, Japan,
won the Prize for the development and application of an environmentally friendly organic fertiliser for the Miyako Island. The method
is applicable to many places around the world.
2003
Claire Reid, South Africa, won the Prize for an innovative, practical, easily
applicable technique for planting and successfully germinating seeds
in water-scarce areas to improve rural and peri-urban livelihoods.
2002
Katherine Holt, USA, won the Prize for research that looked at how
foreign species could be introduced to benefit the Chesapeake10

Bay while preserving the bay’s native oyster species and meeting
national environmental goals.
2001
Magnus Isacson, Johan Nilvebrant and Rasmus Öman, Sweden,
won the Prize for their innovative and relevant research on the useof natural materials to remove metals in leachate from landfills.
2000
Ashley Mulroy, USA, won the Prize for a contemporary project thatinvestigated how inefficient wastewater treatment processes canlead not only to antibiotic contamination in American waterways,
but also to progressive resistance among harmful bacteria to thosesame antibiotics that once controlled them.
1999
Rosa Lozano, Elisabeth Pozo and Rocío Ruiz, Spain, won the Prize
for an innovative project that used sea urchins, starfish and sea
cucumbers to measure the effectiveness of an EU beach protection
programme on Spain’s western Mediterranean coast.
1998
Robert Franke, Germany, won the Prize for his design of the
Aquakat, a solar-powered, flow-through reactor for the treatment
of industrial wastewater.
1997
Stephen Tinnin, USA, became the first international Stockholm
Junior Water Prize winner for research that investigated the correlation between the reproductive rate of sea urchins and waterpollution.

The Future of our World’s Water Depends
on our Water Experts of the Future.
There are challenges ahead for our world's water. Increased need, stressed supplies,
pollution and geopolitics seem to be muddying our future.
At ITT, we have a different outlook. We believe that how we use this precious
resource and return it for reuse will help define the future of humanity. We are deeply
involved in the cycle of water and are committed to the wise and sustainable
development and utilization of the world's water resources.
That is why we are a proud founding sponsor of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize.
We congratulate all of the State and National winners. It is their research anddiscoveries that will play an important role in the future of this most natural andcritical resource.
For more information on ITT and the cycle of water: www.ittfluidbusiness.com

National Organisers and Sponsors
Argentina: Asociacion Argentina de Ingeniería Sanitaria y Ciencias del Ambiente(AIDIS- Argentina), Sudamericana de Aguas SA, TetraPak, Semarnat, INA, ITT Corporation, Aguas de Santiago, Desler, Am Cham, ERM, Accion Planeta, ESSO, Ecopreneur SA,
Atlas Copco, Enersystem
Australia: Australian Water Association (AWA), ITT Corporation, Tyco Water, Gold
Coast Water
Belarus: BirdLife Belarus, Coca-Cola Beverages Belorussiya FE
Benin: Kajola Centre, ADE YOUS AWAD International
Cameroon: Cameroon Vision Trust, The Water Environment Science and Technology(WEST) Fund, Women International Coalition Organisation (WICO), Africa Commonwealth Women’s Forum (CWF) International
Canada: Western Canada Water Environment Association, Atlantic Canada Water Works
Association, British Columbia Water and Waste Association, Canadian Water and Wastewater Association, Reseau environnement, Western Canada Water Environment Association,
Water Environment Association of Ontario, ITT Corporation, Water Environment Federation
Chile: Dirección General de Aguas MOP, ANDESS, Escuela de Ingenería de la U. de
Catolica, Faculdad de Ingeniería de la U. de Concepcion, Fanaloza, Metro S.A., ALHSUD Chile, Ministerio de Educacion, Educar Chile, ESSBIO, TetraPak Chile, Escuela deIngenería de la U. de Chile, Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, Embajada de Suecia
en Chile, SOCHID, Comite Chileno del PHI, AIDIS Chile
China: Center for Environmental Education and Communications of Ministry of Environmental Protection (SEPA CEEC), ITT Corporation
Denmark: Unge Forskere, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Science, Technology andInnovation, All Danish Universities
Finland: Water Association Finland, The Land and Water Technology Foundation Finland, Kemira Chemicals Ltd., Ekokem Ltd., Helsinki Water Ltd., Uponor Finland Ltd.
France: Office Francais de la Fondation pour l’éducation à l’environnement, ITT Corporation, VEOLIA-Eau, Agence de l'Eau Seine-Normandie, Agence de l'Eau Artois-Picardie,
Hydroplus magazine
Germany: Stiftung Jugend forscht e. V., Federal Ministry of Education and Research,
Ernst Sobotha Foundation

Mexico: FEMISCA (Mexican Federation of Environmental Engineering), Secretaria deMedio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, Gobierno del Distrito Federal, Secretaría de
Educacion Pública, Academia Mexicana de Ciencias, Instituto Mexicano de la Juventud,
Ericsson, Fundación Coca Cola, ITT Corporation, Sandvik, Comisión Nacional del Agua,
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de México, Alfa Laval, TetraPak, Cámara Sueco Mexicana, FEMISCA, Kemira Chemicals Ltd., CINAM
The Netherlands: Netherlands Water Partnership, Ministry of Transport, Public Works
and Water Management, Partners for Water
Nigeria: African Initiative for Environment Sustainable Network, Alele Company Ltd.,
Young Water, Gender Action Team (YWGAT) Joint Fund, Gender and Water Alliance
Norway: Norsk Hydrologiråd, Norsk Vannforening, VA-yngre, AnoxKaldnes, Metereologisk institutt, BKK, Statkraft, Norges Vassdrags- og Energidirektorat, NVE
Poland: Polish Foundation for the Protection of Water Resources, Polish Foundation
for the Protection of Water Resources, The National Fund for Environmental Protection
and Water Management, The Economic Chamber of “Polish Waterworks”
Russian Federation: Environmental Projects Consulting Institute, Coca-Cola Russia,
International Humanitarian Public Foundation "Znanie,” Ministry of Natural Resources
Singapore: Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Lien Foundation, PUB, Public Utilities Board Singapore
Slovakia: Slovak Association for Young Scientists - SAYS, BVS, a.s. – Bratislava Water
Company, Slovak Research and Development Agency, Ministry of Environment of the
Slovak republic, Ministry of Education of the Slovak republicSouth Africa: Department of Water Affairs & Forestry, South Africa Water ResearchCommission, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Cape Technikon, University of Natal, University of Cape Town, WRP Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd.
Spain: AGBAR Foundation (Centre d’Estudis i Investigacio del Medi Ambient), Kemira
Iberica S.A.
Sri Lanka: ISB Environmental Services, ITT Corporation
Sweden: Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), ITT Corporation, Svenskt
Vatten, SYVAB, Gävle Vatten, VA-avdelningen i Luleå Kommun, Urban Water, Scandic,
Städat & Fixat

Ghana: SWITCH LA Facilitator in Accra, Ministry of Water Resources Works and Housing,
Ministry of Education, Science and Sports, IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre

Turkey: General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works, DSI

India: Society for Environment Education and Developemnt (SEED), ITT Corporation

UK: Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), Institution of Water Officers and the Company of Water Conservators, United Utilities

Israel: Faculty of Engineering at Tel Aviv University, The Iby & Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering at Tel Aviv University, The Manuel and Raquel Klachky Foundation,
Israel Water Authority

Ukraine: Ukranian Publishing House EKOinform, Coca-cola Beverages Ukraine Ltd.,
Publishing House "EKOinform", WILO, Santechplast, NTON, Sida

Italy: Federazione delle Associazioni Scientifiche e Tecniche (FAST), Governo Italiano presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri, Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione - Ufficio Scolastico
per la Lombardia, Comune di Milano, FLA - Fondazione Lombardia per l'Ambiente, MUR- Ministero Università e Ricerca, Sanofi Aventis, Provincia di Milano, AICA Associazione
italiana per l'informatica e il calcolo automatico, ANIPLA Associazione nazionale italiana perl'automazione, Foist, CusmiBio
Japan: Japan Water Prize Committee (JWPC), Lion Corporation, CTI Engineering Co.,
Ltd., Tokyo Construction Consultants Co.,Ltd., NIPPON KOEI Co., Ltd., Pacific Consultants Co. Ltd., Japan Federation of Construction Contractors

USA: Water Environment Federation, ITT Corporation, The Coca-Cola Company, Delta
Air Lines, Inc.
Vietnam: Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), The Sida
Environmental Fund (SEF), Vietnam Environmental Protection Agency (VEPA)

Global Sponsor is

Latvia: Education, Youth and Sports Department of Riga City Council, SIA “Rigas Udens”
Lithuania: Druksiai Ecological Education Academy and Lithuanian National Youth
Technical Creativity Palace

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Drottninggatan 33, -1 5 S, S
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