Baltic news
California Professor named the 2007 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate
Stockholm, March 22, 2007 – Professor Perry L. McCarty from Stanford University, California, a pioneer in the development of the understanding of biological and chemical processes for the safe supply and treatment of water, was today named the 2007 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate.
Professor McCarty’s work has led to more efficient biological treatment processes, in particular anaerobic (oxygen-less) treatment systems for municipal and industrial wastewaters, biological nutrient removal, and the development and use of biofilm reactors.
In its Citation, the Nominating Committee wrote:
Professor Perry L. McCarty is awarded the 2007 Stockholm Water Prize for pioneering work in developing the scientific approach for the design and operation of water and wastewater systems. He has established the role of fundamental microbiology and chemistry in the design of bioreactors. Professor McCarty has defined the field of environmental biotechnology that is the basis for small-scale and large-scale pollution control and safe drinking water systems.
The Stockholm Water Prize is a global award founded in 1990 and presented annually by the Stockholm Water Foundation to an individual, organization or institution for outstanding water-related activities. The activities can be within fields like education and awareness-raising, human and international relations, research, water management and water-related aid. The Stockholm Water Prize Laureate receives USD 150,000 along with a glass sculpture, which will be presented August 16 during the 2007 World Water Week in Stockholm. H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden is the Patron of the Stockholm Water Prize.
Natural bacterial processes made operational in large-scale technologies
Being an environmental engineer, Professor McCarty has combined deep knowledge in physical, chemical, biological and microbiological processes and transferred the results into outstanding technical development widely used all over the world as the basis for design and operation of wastewater treatment systems.
Professor McCarty’s other important contribution was the identity of mechanisms for biodegradation and the fate of hazardous and anthropogenic trace chemicals as well as appropriate engineering for water quality improvement of ground- and surface water and soils.
All of his earlier research findings and theoretical developments have been incorporated into these recent studies and culminated in his fundamental theory of water quality improvement in surface and groundwater as well as biological treatment of polluted soils (bioremediation). This is an enormous accomplishment and brings together a unified concept derived from physical, chemical and biological phenomena into integrated management for water quality improvement.
Purifying the invisible
Professor McCarty has furthermore tackled the important problem of organic compounds and pollutants in wastewater and underground aquifer systems. His work has led to the development and practical implementation of methods to treat toxic chemicals in groundwater, especially chlorinated pollutants from industry.
A stunning scientific career
Professor McCarty has published over 300 papers in water science, environmental engineering, and microbiology science journals with 50 papers just in the last 10 years. His two textbooks on the chemistry, biology, and design of treatment systems for municipal and industrial wastewater are daily used by engineers all over the world.
Professor McCarty has been an educator and researcher at Stanford since 1962. His ability to attract and develop outstanding doctoral students at Stanford University is eminent. Professor McCarty furthermore was for 14 years the director of the Environmental Protection Agency-sponsored Western Regional Hazardous Substances Research Center. He is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering and an Honorary member of the American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Federation, and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Academy of Microbiology.
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Future-Oriented Action
The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) is a policy institute that contributes to international efforts to combat the world's escalating water crisis. SIWI advocates future-oriented, knowledge-integrated water views in decision making, nationally and internationally, that lead to sustainable use of the world’s water resources and sustainable development of societies.
David Trouba
Communications Director
Stockholm International Water Institute
Drottninggatan 33111 51 Stockholm, SWEDEN
Tel: +46 8 522 139 89
Fax: +46 8 522 139 61
E-mail: dave.trouba@siwi.org