FINALISTS 2014
STOCKHOLM JUNIOR WATER PRIZE
ARGENTINA • AUSTRALIA • BELARUS • CANADA • CHILE • CHINA • CYPRUS • FRANCE • GERMANY
HUNGARY • ISRAEL • ITALY • JAPAN • LATVIA • MEXICO • THE NETHERLANDS • NORWAY • POLAND
REPUBLIC OF KOREA • RUSSIAN FEDERATION • SINGAPORE • SOUTH AFRICA • SRI LANKA • SWEDEN
THAILAND • TURKEY • UKRAINE • UNITED KINGDOM • UNITED STATESTHE STOCKHOLM JUNIOR WATER PRIZE
Each year, the Stockholm Junior Water Prize international competition brings together young scientists andinnovators from around the world who have created new solutions to the planet’s growing water challenges.
Each of the finalists represented in Stockholm are the champions of their national competition, and have been
selected as winners from thousands of entries.
This year we are proud to host the 18th annualcompetition and welcome the winners ofnational competitions from 29 countries:
Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Canada, Chile,
China, Cyprus, France, Germany, Hungary,
Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Republic of Korea,
Russian Federation, Singapore, South Africa,
Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine,
United Kingdom and United States.
The Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition proves that brilliant young minds

can find inspiration in unlikely places. They
see opportunity and hope where others findchallenges and have developed cost-efficientand immediate solutions, applicable the world
over. In this catalogue, you can learn more
about the innovative research and inventions
that earned each of the 2014 finalists a placein competing for this international honour.
All the finalists were invited to Stockholm forthe special opportunity to meet with present
leaders of the global water community andto make life-long friendships with inter-national compatriots who share a passion
for water and science. This visit includes
the chance to receive the international
prize from H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of
Sweden during an exciting award ceremony
which will be held this year on Wednesday
September 3 at the Grand Hôtel in Stockholm.
World Water Week participants havethe opportunity to meet this next generation of water leaders by visiting theirbooths in Hall B at Stockholmsmässan.

THE INTERNATIONAL JURY
The competitions International Jury includes experts within
the field of water who appoint the winner of the international
final by committee consensus. The decision is based on the
finalists’ written report, a short presentation of their display
material and three rounds of interviews. The jury members areappointed by Stockholm International Water Institute Board.

THE 2014 INTERNATIONAL JURY MEMBERS• DR. FREDRIK MOBERG, (CHAIR), SWEDEN• MS. CHARLOTTE DE FRAITURE, NETHERLANDS• DR. EILEEN O’NEILL, USA• DR. JO BURGESS, SOUTH AFRICA• MS. SUSANA SANDOZ, CANADA• MS DANKA THALMEINEROVA, SWEDEN,• MR. MICHAEL FIELDS, USA and• MS. CAJSA LARSSON (SIWI, SECRETARY), SWEDEN.

ABOUT THE STOCKHOLM JUNIOR WATER PRIZE COMPETITION
The competition is open to young people
between the age of 15 and 20 who haveconducted water-related projects at local,
regional, national or global levels on topics
of environmental, scientific, social and/or technological importance. The aim of
the competition is to increase awareness,interest and knowledge of water and theenvironment. As of this year the boardof SIWI has decided to increase the prize
sum to the winners and also to institutea new prize. The international winner willfrom now on receive a USD 15,000 award
and a prize sculpture, the winner’s school

receives USD 5,000 (new category) andthe winner of the Diploma of Excellence
USD 3,000. H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria
of Sweden is the Patron of the Stockholm
Junior Water Prize and Xylem Inc. is theglobal sponsor.

INDEX
ARGENTINA

4

ISR AEL

7

SINGAPORE

11

AUSTR ALIA

4

ITALY

8

SOUTH AFRICA

11

BEL ARUS

4

JAPAN

8

SRI L ANK A

12CANADA

5

L AT VIA

8

SWEDEN

12

CHILE

5

MEXICO

9THAIL AND

12

CHINA

5

THE NETHERL ANDS

9

TURKEY12

CYPRUS

6NORWAY9

UKR AINE

13

FR ANCE

6

POL AND

10UNITED KINGDOM13GERMANY

7

REPUBLIC OF KOREA

10

UNITED STATES13

HUNGARY

7

RUSSIAN FEDER ATION 11

Cover Photo: Jules Bloemen, SXC.
Design by: Elin Ingblom, SIWI.
Printing by Botkyrka Offset, Sweden. The printing process has been certified according to the Nordic Swan label for environmental
quality. For electronic versions of this and other SIWI publications, visit www.siwi.org.

The 2014 Stockholm Junior Water Prize Finalists

The objective of the work is to provide solutions to diminish thepolluting agents in intubated streams in uncontrolled dischargesof the river “Rio de la Plata” (Buenos Aires). With proposals of
application of redox processes of remediation, through electrochemical means, helped by the reactivation with photoactive
catalysts with ultraviolet radiation, it was tested with real effluents in prototypes constructed with the technological requirements to perform the treatment and the evaluated results madeit feasible an alternative towards the solution of the problem.

ARGENTINAElectrophotocatalysis, a Proposal for our Rivers •Ezequiel Alberto Solis, Julian Alexis Zuñiga and Ramon
Daniel Eduardo Gramajo

NATIONAL ORGANISER • AIDIS ARGENTINASPONSORS • AYSA - DR. CARLOS BEN, PRESIDENTE ECOPRENEUR - ING. MAURICIO PAVIOTTI, DIRECTOR XYLEM WATER
SOLUTIONS ARGENTINA S.A. - ING. OSVALDO GRECO, DIRECTOR.
ENERSYSTEM ARGENTINA SA

Phosphorus sustainability is becoming a serious agriculturaland environmental problem. The aim of the investigation was
to find a simple and feasible way to recover and reuse phosphate
precipitated from wastewater. Water was collected from various
locations of a local wastewater treatment facility and each sample
analysed to deduce the optimal reclamation point of phosphate.
NATIONAL ORGANISER • AUSTRALIAN WATER ASSOCATIONSPONSORS • XYLEM

Nitrate Contamination of Drinking Water in Belarus(On the Example of Osipovichi District) • Pavel Tatur
and Alena Shevchuk
The project presents the long-term investigation (2009-2013) of
nitrates and nitrites content of decentralised sources (wells) ofdrinking water on example of one district of the Republic of
Belarus. The research part was accompanied by a huge work withremoving potential sources of water contamination in selectedhouseholds by reconstruction of outdoor toilets and repairing
the wells. Besides it was proved experimentally that the usage of
wastes from reconstructed toilets has advance benefit on private
agriculturing practice.
NATIONAL ORGANISER • REPUBLICAN ECOLOGICAL CENTERSPONSORS • COCA-COLA BEVERAGES BELARUS

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BELARUS

AUSTRALIA

Finding the Optimal Reclamation Point of Phosphatein a Waste Water Treatment Facility • Lewis Nitschinsk

Effectiveness of slow sand filters (SSF) newly applied as biofilm
bioreactors (BB) to biodegrade toxic naphthenic acids (NA) in
oil sands tailings ponds was studied using indigenous bacterial
isolates in a bench scale SSFBB versus planktonic batch culturebioreactors (PBCB). Planktonic microbial growth, biofilm
development and NA reductions determined effectiveness ofbioreactors. SSFBB reduced total NA concentrations faster than
the PBCB. Cost-effective, sustainable SSFBB could detoxify NAin tailings water preventing more pollution of ground/surface
water resources in the oil sands region.
NATIONAL ORGANISER • WESTERN CANADA WATER ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION

Deception Island Bacteria Capable of Producing
Fluorescent Nanoparticles: A Biotechnology
Alternative • Estrella Calderon and Reynalda Zarate

CHILE

CANADA

Waste to Water: Biodegrading Naphthenic Acids
using Novel Sand Filters • Hayley Todesco

The project involved isolating and characterising Deception
Island bacteria capable of metabolising cadmium (Cd) andselenium (Se) in aqueous solution and synthesise fluorescent
nanoparticles (QDs), thus providing an innovative water remediation option.
NATIONAL ORGANISER • GENERAL WATER DIRECTORATE OF THE
MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS, INTERNATIONAL HYDROLOGICALPROGRAMME OF UNESCO - CHILEAN CHAPTER, AIDIS, SOCHID,ALHSUD, FUNDACIÓN CHILE AND CAZALACSPONSORS • AGUAS ANDINAS, COLBUN, NESTLESPONSORS • XYLEM, TERRATEC ENVIRONMENTAL, ERAMOSAENGINEERING INC., GE WATER & PROCESS CONTROLSThe newly developed bionic fish effectively improves original
shortages of biological detection device and the project brought
about a variety of innovative designs to the underwater detector. For example: the moving style in bionic fish only leads tofaint noise, originally-created bionic whale tail fin makes rapid
ups and downs possible by the swing of the fin, the mechanismof ‘smooth amplification of linkage system’ adopted from thehorizontal tailing wagging of swordfish eliminated the shortagesof the loud noise from crank linkage system and the huge energy
consumption from rhombus folding structure and generatedfunctions of horisontal and vertical wagging with remote control.

CHINA

Novel Robot Fish – A Biomimetic Underwater
Detector • Mingwei Zou and Yunling Hu

NATIONAL ORGANISER • THE CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTALEDUCATION & COMMUNICATIONS OF STATE ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION ADMINISTRATIONSPONSORS • XYLEM，VR.V，ENERSYSTEM ARGENTINA S.A.

Photo: Henrik Tryck, Stockholm Visitors Board

5

The 2014 Stockholm Junior Water Prize Finalists

CYPRUSA Novel Advanced Treatment Process for the
Removal of Xenobiotics from Wastewater •Silvia Vitturini, Athanasios Phedonos and Zoi
Konstantopoulou
The main idea of our project was to discover the impact ofpharmaceuticals on the aquatic environment and their adverse
effects on microorganisms. The test substances were paracetamoland caffeine which according to our questionnaires are the mostcommercialised pharmaceuticals. We applied the advanced
chemical oxidation process Solar photocatalysis on a laboratory
and pilot scale. The result showed that these technologies canremove substances by measuring the dissolved organic carbon.
NATIONAL ORGANISER • WATER MUSEUM OF LEMESOSSPONSORS • WATER BOARD OF LEMESOS, HELLENIC BANK, PWC,
GREENDOT CYPRUS, PHILELEFTHEROS NEWSPAPER, CYPRUSTECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Our project is a model of a communicating pedagogical wastewater plant named Sensitization and Educating of Water andEnergy Treatment or SEWET. It reproduces all the steps ofwater purification in a functional scale model which deals withthis water-energy duality. We wanted to broadcast our system
to raise awareness on energy issues in the wastewater treatment,
so we decided to reach the widest possible student audience ofdifferent ages, from 9 to 20 years old, different nationalities
particularly in Europe and different disciplines.
NATIONAL ORGANISER • FRENCH OFFICE OF THE FOUNDATIONFOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN EUROPÉ (FEEE)SPONSORS • THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL EDUCATION, HIGHEREDUCATION AND RESEARCH, THE MINISTRY OF ECOLOGY,SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND ENERGY, THE 6 FRENCHWATER AGENCIES, THE FRENCH WATER PARTNERSHIP, JACTIV.
OUEST-FRANCE.FR, SCIENCES ET VIE JUNIOR

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FRANCE

Sensitivity through Educating of Water and Energy
Treatment • Pierre-André Crépon, Paul-Vinh Lê andSohaïb Ouzineb

Our Water is Our Future • Claudia Li, Lívia Mayer andNikolett Sebestyén

This study deals to the subject of the biodegradation of polyethylene in sea water. The work was done with four microorganism
species, two bacteria and two fungi species. In a preliminary test
the four microorganism species were cultivated in an atmosphereof diesel respectively benzine in order to get them used to thehydrophobic and complex structure of the polyethylene. The
scanning electron microscope was to furnish proof optically. In
the course of the experiments the focus was put on Alcanivorax
borkumensis.

Have you ever wondered about the quality of the water you drink
on a daily basis? We have. We examined different parameters of
tap water in our region to compare them with the labels of theliquids in the shops. You’d better know that the restrictions fortap water are the strictest. We asked more than 550 students inseven European countries about their drinking habits. According
to the responses, they are aware of the quantity and the qualityof water they should drink, but they are unlikely to consume it
sufficiently. So we should pay attention to water from now on.
Because we are what we drink.

NATIONAL ORGANISER • STIFTUNG JUGEND FORSCHT E. V
SPONSORS • JUGEND FORSCHT, GEOMAR KIEL, TECHNISCHEFAKULTÄT DER CHRISTIAN-ALBRECHTS UNIVERSITÄT ZU KIELHUNGARYGERMANY

Biodegradation of Polyethylene • Finn Sombrutzki andRobin Hertel

NATIONAL ORGANISER • GLOBAL WATER PARTNERSHIP (GWP)SPONSORS • MAVÍZ WATER FOR LIFE FOUNDATION, GE WATER &PROCESS TECHNOLOGIES, BUDAPEST WATERWORKS, HUNGARIAN WASTEWATER ASSOCIATION, PUBLIC UTILITY EVALUATION
CLUSTER, GRUNDFOS, HAURATONISRAELA Method of Enriching Desalinated Water with Vital
Sea Water Minerals • Rashbil Izrailov and Shachar
Rachmnpour Davar
World water scarcity has led to the development of desalination
facilities. Desalinated water, especially it’s lack of magnesium
mineral which is vital for the function of many systems in our
body, is a major threat to the human health and to the agriculture. Studies show that only in Israel it leads to death of 150
people annually. Our project shows that the dialysis filter cantransfer minerals from sea water via a diffusion process, thus
enriching water quality, solving the lack of magnesium problem.
The system we developed enriches water quality through a simple
inexpensive process.
NATIONAL ORGANISER • FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, TEL AVIVSPONSORS • TEL-AVIV UNIVERSITY, PARSON’S WATER FUND
- JNF, RAQUEL AND MANUEL KLACHKY FUND, ISRAEL WATERAUTHORITY, ISRAEL NATIONAL WATER PROJECT - NEWTECH MINISTRY OF ECONOMY

Photo: John Nyberg, SXC

7

The 2014 Stockholm Junior Water Prize Finalists
Water-Jet: A Novel Technique for Water Purification
Tatsumasa Takei, Yuri Kirita and Kiichi Sugimoto

The purpose of our work is to develop a new method to remove
arsenic from water. The presence of arsenic limits the use of water
resources. Our method provides a high removal in a short timewith affordable cost and without a specific chemical knowledge.
The arsenic is removed, thanks to the action of a metal cageformed by copper, iron and galvanized iron that reacts with thearsenic in the water, forming a precipitate, without generating
microbial and chemical contamination. This method can bea viable alternative to traditional removing methods for thesimplicity of action.

The Japanese delegation found an interesting phenomenon;
a water-jet projected from underwater drags the surrounding
water to be discharged out of a tank. The mechanism of thisphenomenon was formulated using hydrodynamic approaches.
Using the water-jet, several experiments were conducted toremove pollutants: oil, floating litter, duckweed, and sawdustfrom the water surface. These results suggest the applicability ofthis cost-efficient and eco-friendly technique to remove crude oil,
floating litter, and algal bloom in the ocean and eutrophicatedponds/lakes all over the world.

NATIONAL ORGANISER • FEDERAZIONE DELLE ASSOCIAZIONISCIENTIFICHE E TECNICHE (FAST)NATIONAL ORGANISER • JAPAN WATER PRIZE COMMITTEE(JWPC), JAPAN RIVER ASSOCIATIONSPONSORS • HIGH PATRONAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF ITALIANREPUBLIC, HIGH PATRONAGE OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION,REGIONE LOMBARDIA, FONDAZIONE CARIPLO, AICA, XYLEM
WATER SOLUTIONS.

SPONSORS • LION CORPORATION, CTI ENGINEERING CO. LTD.,NIPPON KOEI CO. LTD., TOKYO CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS CO.
LTD., PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO. LTD, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF
RIVER DAYThe work reveals a very topical and global issue, affecting a
lot of people using potatoes and potato products in their diets
because in the present research it was found that during theboiling of potatoes a part of manganese (II) content from potatoes
transfers to the water. The goal of the project: To investigate
the amount of manganese (II) in water samples collected fromvarious districts of Riga. Also interaction with potatoes boiled
in it or the changes in the amount of manganese in water before
and after boiling of the potatoes.
NATIONAL ORGANISER • EDUCATION, CULTURE AND SPORTS
DEPARTMENT OF RIGA CITY COUNCILSPONSORS • SIA “RIGAS UDENS”, EDUCATION, CULTURE AND
SPORTS DEPARTMENT OF RIGA CITY COUNCIL

8

www.siwi.org/prizes/stockholmjuniorwaterprize

LATVIA

The Amount of Manganese (II) in Drinking Water, Its
Interaction with Cooking of Potato • Loreta Rutkovska
and Eliza Madara Treija

JAPAN

ITALY

Arsenic in Cage • Federico Ferrari, Domenico Pisana andLuca Isoletta

MEXICO

Extremophile Organisms for Improving Water
Quality: A Binational Problem • Adolfo Alejandro
Romero Ángeles and Mauricio Alberto Romero Ángeles
In this project, we studied the polluted water from two important lakes by the Mexico-USA border: Lake Salton Sea and
Mexicali’s Lagoon. We analysed the reaction of extremophile
microorganisms to pollution in order to evaluate it’s possible
usage as bio-indicators for water quality. We found that theresistance properties of tardigrades to polluted environments
make them excellent candidates to this use.
NATIONAL ORGANISER • FEMISCA (MEXICAN FEDERATION OF
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING)SPONSORS • ACADEMIA MEXICANA DE CIENCIAS, ALFA LAVAL S.
A. DE C. V., CÁMARA DE COMERCIO SUECO-MEXICANA, COLEGIO
DE INGENIEROS AMBIENTALES DE MÉXICO AC, COMISIÓN NACIONAL DEL AGUA-CONAGUA, EMBAJADA DE SUECIA, ERICSSONTELECOM S. A. DE C. V., FUNDACIÓN COCA COLA, GRUPO URREA,
UNAM, INSTITUTO MEXICANO DE LA JUVENTUD, XYLEM WATER
SOLUTIONS MÉXICO S DEL RL DE CV,KEMIRA DE MÉXICO S.A. DE
C.V, SANDVIK DE MÉXICO S.A. DE C.V., SISTEMA DE AGUAS DE LA
CIUDAD DE MÉXICO, TETRA PAK S.A. DE C.V.

China is suffering from a serious drinking water shortage, since
a lot of the (ground) water is polluted by heavy metals among
others. In this project we will give these people a way to test
the water they drink and the water they use for agriculture. The
optical water sensor indicates whether or not the water contains
Cadmium(II) ions, which are carcinogenic. The sensor absorbs
the Cd(II) ions from the water which causes the colour tochange. The sensor is small and easy to use and make, so that
also people without education or knowledge about the subject
can use this sensor.
NATIONAL ORGANISER • NETHERLANDS WATER PARTNERSHIP,
WETSUSSPONSORS • PARTNERS FOR WATER, NETHERLANDS WATERPARTNERSHIP, WETSUS

Cumulo-Nimbus: Discovering Polar Jet Streams Over
Norway using High Altitude Balloons • Christopher
Gundersen and Jonathan Harbakk
Our focus has been on the polar jet streams over Norway using
audio signals from two high altitude missions to 33 kilometers. We
looked for the “core” of the strongest signals and inferred thesecores where the center of the jet stream “cylinder” where winds
were at their maximum velocity. We discovered seasonal variation in the jet streams over Norway. In addition we discovered
the application of false color to the high altitude images madeit easier for us to determine the types and patterns of clouds –especially Cumulo-Nimbus clouds, which are responsible for
precipitation.

NORWAY

THE NETHERLANDSCAD Spotter – The Optical Watersensor •Eva Maquelin and Hannah Spaander

NATIONAL ORGANISER • NORWEGIAM HYDROLOGICALCOMMITTEE, NORWEGIAN WATER ASSOCIATION, VA-YNGRESPONSORS • NORWEGIAN WATER RESOURCES AND ENERGYDIRECTORATE,CLEAN WATER NORWAY, GODT VANNDRAMMENSREGIONEN

Photo: Martin Fabricius, SXC

9The 2014 Stockholm Junior Water Prize Finalists

POLAND

The Analysis of Youth’s Preferences and further Research on Polish
Bottled Water • Dorota Szymała, Zuzanna Konieczna and Beata Urbanek
The investigation included several stages: questionnaire, laboratory research andadvertising campaign. The brands chosen for further analysis were the most popularamong Polish youth. The questionnaire together with the sensory analysis showed therelation between the taste and popularity of water. The changes in the pH of water
after opening the bottle and the SEM photos helped to draw conclusions about the
optimal storage conditions. The amount of water remaining in the bottle after its
emptying was calculated and a solution for the problem – pouring water into a PP
bottle was suggested.
NATIONAL ORGANISER • KLUB GAJASPONSORS • HONOROWY PATRONAT PREZYDENTA RZECZYPOSPOLITEJ POLSKIEJ
BRONISŁAWA KOMOROWSKIEGO. PROGRAM ZAADOPTUJ RZEKE DOFINANSOWANO ZESRODKÓW NARODOWEGO FUNDUSZU OCHRONY SRODOWISKA I GOSPODARKI WODNEJ
ORAZ WOJEWÓDZKIEGO FUNDUSZU OCHRONY SRODOWISKA I GOSPODARKI WODNEJW KATOWICACH. PATRONI: MINISTER SRODOWISKA, MINISTER EDUKACJI NARODOWEJ.
PARTNER STRATEGICZNY: FUNDACJA PKO BANKU POLSKIEGO. PARTNER MERYTORYCZNY: STACJA MORSKA INSTYTUTU OCEANOGRAFII UNIWERSYTETU GDANSKIEGO,
UNIWERSYTET GDANSKI.

REPUBLIC OF KOREA
10

A Novel Draw Solute of Forward Osmosis for Water Purification • Subin
Jeon, Jinsol Shim and Soyoung Yun
Forward osmosis (FO) is an aspiring technology in the field of water purification. Oneof the most important components of this process is the draw solute, which creates adriving force (osmotic pressure). In this project, polyethylene imine (PEI) was applied
as a novel draw solute. For better recovery of the draw solute, PEI was combined withmagnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). PEI-MNPs complex may be applicable to FO process
for water purification, especially enzyme enrichment.
NATIONAL ORGANISER • KOREA WATER FORUM (KWF)SPONSORS • THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE 7TH WORLD WATER FORUM, MINISTRY
OF LAND, INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT, MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, NATIONALEMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, EMBASSY OF SWEDEN IN KOREA, KOREA WATERRESOURCES CORPORATION(K-WATER), KOREA INSTITUTE OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND
BUILDING TECHNOLOGY

www.siwi.org/prizes/stockholmjuniorwaterprize

The White Sea is inhabited by two mussels species: Mytilus edulis and Mytilus
trossulus. Presence of Mytilus trossulus at mariculture plantations isn’t desirable.
Factors affecting distribution of the two species are poorly studied. I took samples
from the ground and fucoids at Kandalaksha Bay with different values of salinity
and tidal activity. Shown that proportion of M.trossulus at apex areas is higher thanat tidal areas. Share of M.trossulus is on fucoids is higher than that on the ground.
Salinity had no significant effect. Mariculture shouldn’t be placed in apex waters andnear large fucoids clusters.
NATIONAL ORGANISER • ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS CONSULTING INSTITUTE

RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Hydrological and Hydrodynamic Factors Affecting Distribution of
Mytilus Genus Molluscs in White Sea • Pavel Safonov

SPONSORS • STATE GRANT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ECOLOGY, COCA-COLA HELLENIC RUSSIA, STATE ATOMICENERGY CORPORATION “ROSATOM”, STATE RESEARCH CENTER “PLANETA”,
THE GORCHAKOV FUND, JSC “RUSHYDRO”

Nanofied RHS Using Nanotechnology to Purify Water
Harvested from the Roof • Dipuo Rebecca Nthane,
Nthabiseng Motona and Tebogo Makana MamaboloCountries in South East Asia are faced with water pollution
caused by heavy metal ions and microorganisms. Durian(Durio zibethinus) is an exotic fruit native to South East Asian
countries but its waste is under-utilized. In this study, a novel
multi-purpose filter was constructed using durian husk and rind,
activated carbon coated with silver nanoparticles synthesised
from durian rind extract and sand. Results show that the filter
is able to remove more than 90% of metal ions and E.coli.
This filter has great potential to be used in South East Asian
countries to purify water.

This Nano enabled RHS focuses on treatment of rain water
harvested from the roof which proves unsafe for humanconsumption. Nanotechnology has been used to remove microbial and chemical contaminant from roof-harvested rain water.
Physical, chemicals and microbiological test were done to determine the contaminants present and to evaluate the efficacy ofnano treatment system. The results showed that the system could
filter out physical, chemical and microbiological contaminants
to satisfactorily safe levels for human consumption. However,further studies to determine the toxicity of nanosystemare to
be carried out for safety. The project sets out to improve thequality of life in rural and urban settings of South Africa andthe world over.

NATIONAL ORGANISER • LIEN FOUNDATION AND NGEE ANN
POLYTECHNICSPONSORS • NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC, LIEN FOUNDATION, PUB,SINGAPORE’S NATIONAL WATER AGENCY

SOUTH AFRICA

SINGAPORE

Use of Durian Waste in Multi-purpose Filter for
Water Purification • Bryan Cheng Yee Lim, Wei Heng Tan
and Ruobing Han

NATIONAL ORGANISER • DEPARTMENT OF WATER AFFAIRSSPONSORS • WATER RESEARCH COMMISSION, CAPE PENINSULA
UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF KWA ZULU NATAL

Photo: Karin Lindström, SXC

11

The 2014 Stockholm Junior Water Prize Finalists

Construction of mini-hydropower stations along the stream
network of Sri Lanka has created an intolerable pressure on
aquatic organisms which has ultimately resulted diminishing ofvital aquatic organisms from this unique environment. Effect of
stream flow velocity variations on stream fish was studied withrespect to their occurrence in different modified environments.
Laboratory experiment shows that fish cannot tolerate highvelocities such as 10 cm/s. We propose that slow flow pockets
with aquatic vegetation are applied when streams are modified
for various development activities.
NATIONAL ORGANISER • COMMUNITY LED ENVIRONMENTAL
AWARENESS NETWORK (CLEAN)SPONSORS • XYLEM INC, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, SRI LANKA

The production process of rubber sheet from Para tree involves
using acid as rubber coagulant and approximately 20 litres ofwastewater per kilogramme of coagulated latex is left over. This
wastewater has an acidic property with BOD and COD whichis unsuitable to discharge into the environment. It is found thatsuch wastewater is in favor of synthesis of gelatinous bacterial
cellulose (GBC). The obtained GBC exhibits properties similar
to petroleum-based plastic which process dramatically lower the
BOD and COD and the by-product as a rubber coagulant can
reduce the amount of wastewater by 95.15 per cent.
NATIONAL ORGANISER • THAI TAP WATER SUPPLY PCL (TTW)SPONSORS • TTW PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED

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This study investigated how the morphology of Zostera marina
plants differ in regards to their leaf lengths and root lengths
between two different sides of the island Saltö. The physicalfactors which have an impact on this morphology were limited
to winds, waves and sea bottom toughness. In the exposed site,
wind and water movements were greater while the sea bottom
was also tougher in comparison to the protected site. There wasa statistically significant difference between the leaf lengths ofeach site but not between their root lengths. Studies such asthese are crucial for replantation.
NATIONAL ORGANISER • SWEDISH FEDERATION OF YOUNGSCIENTISTSSPONSORS • XYLEM, TYRÉNS, SAS/ COCA-COLA ENVIRONMENTAL FOUNDATION, TROSA TRYCKERI, PEOPLE TRAVEL GROUP

Removal of Cr (III) Ion with Alkali Blue 6B Attached
P(Hema) Nanopolymer • Helin Vardar and Sude Acı
The aim of this study is to develop an affinity system ensuringhigh adsorption with the contribution of nano dimension, being
highly efficient to use for removal of Cr (III) in waste water andthat has high re-usability. For this purpose, we employed dyeaffinity system to remove Cr (III) and a supporting material to Cr(III) could be removed directly not requiring activation process
was synthesised and used for removal of Cr (III). In this study,
results of studies of removal of Cr (III) and Cr (III) suppressed
nanopolymer characterisation were summarised.
NATIONAL ORGANISER • GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF STATEHYDRAULIC WORKS (DSI)SPONSORS • STATE HYDRAULIC WORKS (DSI) FOUNDATIONTURKEY

TURKEYTHAILAND

Transforming Wastewater from Raw Rubber Sheets
Production to GBC Plastic • Orawan Thasanabenjakul,
Pannawat Peanjad and Natthanicha Jairungsri

The Local Environment’s Impact on the Morphologyof Zostera Marina Plants • Ana Latorre and Frida
Hellström

SWEDENSRI LANK ANew Technique to Minimise the Impact on Stream
Fish with Modified High Velocities • Kavya Rasanjalee
Habarakada Liyanage, Thisaru Aparna Hettiarachchi andTharindu Madhawa Premathilake

Toxicity Testing of Chemicals used to Treat Sea Lice
Infestations • Annabel Macklin

The main problem of islands and coastal areas is lack ofelectricity and fresh water. Traditional diesel generators pollutethe environment. Wind turbines and solar panels do not solve
the problem either. Mykhailo Lytovchenko from Ukraine has
invented a technology, created and tested the device prototype,which produces fresh water and electricity simultaneously. The
invented technology needs only sea waves as a driving force.
The technology is highly advantageous due to short period ofinvestments return, helps to improve level of human life andpromotes economic and social development.

We assessed a potential chemical solution to sea lice infestation (by Lepeophtheirus salmonis (LS)) in the Atlantic salmon
industry. The effect of Emamectin benzoate and Product X
on LS and a benign copepod species (Amphiascus tenuiremis(AT )) was studied in an ecotoxicology bioassay. The study used
copepod nauplii in microwell plates with a bath solution of thechemical and daily observation. Results showed that AT wereless susceptible to both chemicals and that both chemicals are
effective anti-sea lice treatments.

NATIONAL ORGANISER • EKOINFORMSPONSORS • DOW EUROPE GMBH, ECOSOFT, WATERNET,EMBASSY OF SWEDEN

UNITED KINGDOMUKRAINE

Wave-Powered Desalination Plant • Mykhailo
Lytovchenko

NATIONAL ORGANISER • CHARTERED INSTITUTION OF WATER
AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (CIWEM)SPONSORS • PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS

The goal of this research was to integrate enhanced photocatalysis
with filtration, to develop a safe, cost-effective, sustainable andecofriendly technique for wastewater purification. A novel silver
doped photocatalytic pervious composite was synthesized using
uniformly graded sand, Portland cement, titanium dioxide andsilver nitrate. Photodegradation studies of the organic indicator
dye methylene blue were conducted using UV-Vis spectroscopy.
Bacterial inactivation studies with the photocatalytic pervious
composite showed 100% inactivation of coliform bacteria 15
minutes after filtration.

UNITED STATESA Novel Photocatalytic Pervious Composite for
Degrading Organics and Inactivating Bacteria in
Wastewater • Deepika Kurup

NATIONAL ORGANISER • WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATIONSPONSORS • WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION, XYLEM INC.

Photo: Karin Lindström, SXC

13

Photos: Cecilia Östhammar, Exray

2013 STOCKHOLM JUNIOR WATER PRIZE WINNER

Naomi Estay and Omayra Toro, Chile, receiving the 2013 Stockholm
Junior Water Prize from H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria.
The 2013 Diploma of Excellence wasawarded to Yeari Vigder and NoamAr ye Nassi from Israel.

LET’S BE THE

EFFICIENCYEXPERT FOR
NATURE’S WATERDEPARTMENT.

Xylem takes great responsibility in rewriting the limitations on where water can go and how it gets there. We‘reimproving the reliability and reach of the world‘s water supply. Energy-efficient pumping systems from brands
such as Flygt, Godwin, Goulds Water Technology, Lowara, Sanitaire, WEDECO, YSI and WTW are pushing waterto realize its potential. So let’s champion maximum productivity, minimal waste and the smart movement of water.
See what we’re solving now at Xyleminc.com.

xyleminc.com© 2014 Xylem Inc. Flygt, Godwin, Goulds Water Technology, Lowara, Sanitaire, WEDECO, YSI and WTW
are trademarks of Xylem Inc. or one of its subsidiaries.

15

STOCKHOLM JUNIOR WATER PRIZE WINNERS
2013 | Naomi Estay & Omayra Toro, Chile“Psychiobacter: Antarctic Co-operation on Bioremediation of Oil-Contaminated Waters”
2012 | Luigi Marshall Cham, Jun Yong Nicholas Lim and Tian Ting Carrie-Anne Ng, Singapore“Investigation of the Use of Sodium-Activated Bentonite Clay in the Removal and Recovery of Non-Ionic
Surfactants from Wastewater”
2011 | Alison Bick, USA“Development and Evaluation of a Microfluidic Co-Flow Device to Determine Water Quality”
2010 | Alexandre Allard and Danny Luong, Canada“Research on Biodegradation of the Plastic Polysterene”
2009 | Ceren Burçak Dag, Turkey“A Solution to Energy-Based Water Contamination: Rain as an Alternative Environmentally Friendly
Energy Source”
2008 | Joyce Chai, USA“Modelling the Toxic Effects of Silver Nanoparticles Under Varying Environmental Conditions”
2007 | Adriana Alcántara Ruiz, Dalia Graciela Díaz Gómez and Carlos Hernández Mejía, Mexico“Elimination of Pb(II) From Water Via Bio-Adsorption Using Eggshells”
2006 | Wang Hao, Xiao Yi and Weng Jie, China“Application Research and Practice of a Comprehensive Technology for Restoring Urban River
Channels Ecologically”

2005 | Pontso Moletsane, Motebele Moshodi and Sechaba Ramabenyane, South Africa“Nocturnal Hydro Minimiser”
2004 | Tsutomu Kawahira, Daisuke Sunakawa and Kaori Yamaguti, Japan“The Organic Fertilizer – an Alternative to Commercial Fertilizers”
2003 | Claire Reid, South Africa“Water Wise Reel Gardening”
2002 | Katherine Holt, USA“Cleaning the Chesapeake Bay with Oysters”
2001 | Magnus Isacson, Johan Nilvebrant and Rasmus Öman, Sweden“Removal of Metal Ions from Leachate”
2000 | Ashley Mulroy, USA“Correlating Residual Antibiotic Contamination in Public Water to the Drug Resistance ofEscherichia Coli”
1999 | Rosa Lozano, Elisabeth Pozo and Rocío Ruiz, Spain“Echinoderms as Biological Indicators of Water Quality in the Alborán Sea Coast”
1998 | Robert Franke, Germany“The Aquakat – a Solar-Driven Reactor for the Decontamination of Industrial Wastewater”
1997 | Stephen Tinnin, USA“Changes in Development, Sperm Activity and Reproduction Across a 105 Exposure Range in
Lytechinus Variegatus Gametes Exposed to Pesticides in Marine Media”

172013 STOCKHOLM JUNIOR WATER PRIZE CONTESTANTS

WWW.SIWI.ORG/
STOCKHOLMJUNIORWATERPRIZEPhoto: Cecilia Östberg, ExrayDo you want to be part of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize?
If you are interested in leading a national competition in your country or would like to learn more
about sponsorship opportunities for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, please contact
cajsa.larsson@siwi.org.

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OFFICAL SUPPLIERS

OFFICAL SUPPORTERS

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Environmental Foundation

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