TOPSFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 5, 2016) – The International Desalination Association (IDA) conferred the inaugural IDA Water Reuse and Conservation Awards at its International Conference on Water Reuse and Recycling “Turning Vision into Reality,” which took place in Nice, France.
Dr. Masaru Kurihara (second from left) received IDA's Award for Outstanding Professional in Water Reuse and Conservation at the Association's Water Reuse Conference in Nice, France. Congratulating his achievement were (left to right) Leon Awerbuch, IDA director and conference co-chair; Shannon McCarthy, IDA first vice president; Emilio Gabbrielli, IDA president; and Nikolay Voutchkov, IDA director and conference co-chair.Awards were presented in three categories:
- Outstanding Professional in Water Reuse and Conservation, in recognition of individuals who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to the development and implementation of landmark water reuse projects, and advancement of technology and applied science in the field of water reuse and conservation.
Winner: Dr. Masaru Kurihara, Toray Industries Inc.
Distinction Award (tie): Professor Neal Chung, National University of Singapore
Distinction Award (tie): Dr. Roberto Mazzini, Veolia Water Technologies Italia
- Exceptional Utility Leader in Water Reuse and Conservation, to recognize the outstanding performance of public or private utilities that have implemented successful leading-edge water reuse and conservation programs and projects.
Winner: Orange County Water District, USA
Distinction Award: Suez, France
Merit Award: Water Corporation, Australia
- Industry Technology and Innovation Leader in Water Reuse and Conservation, to recognize the outstanding performance of private consulting firms and technology and equipment providers that have achieved disruptive advances in water reuse and conservation technology or solutions that have enabled significant reduction in energy use, carbon footprint and costs of alternative water supplies.
Winner: Veolia Water Technologies, France
Distinction Award: Desalitech, USA
Merit Award: Dow Water & Process Solutions, USA
IDA Directors Leon Awerbuch and Nikolay Voutchkov co-chaired the Award Selection Committee, a panel of experts from all facets of the water reuse industry.
The award recipients will be part of the committee for the 2018 IDA Water Reuse and Conservation Awards, which will be conferred at IDA’s next international conference on water reuse and recycling.