The Colorado-based global service and engineering company, CH2M, has received the 2015 Stockholm Industry Water Award for advancing methods in cleaning water and increasing public acceptance of recycled water.
CH2M has invented, implemented and refined methods for cleaning used water to turn it into drinking water. The award committee also made special mention of the company’s research–combined with demonstrations, education and transparency–to dispel myths around the use of treated wastewater that has helped increase interest and acceptance of potable reuse.
“It is very significant for us to receive this award because it really gets to the next level on issues around water,” Jacqueline Hinman, Chairman and CEO of CH2M, told The Source in Stockholm. “We know water scarcity is probably the top issue today and so now focusing on water reuse to provide safe potable water around the world is important.”
CH2M has continued to evolve water reuse practices. In the early 2000s, it worked with Singapore’s national water agency, to not only prove the safety of potable reuse, but to win public acceptance with the country’s NEWater project. By combining latest technology and public education tools, unprecedented public acceptance of water reuse was achieved.
“In a larger way, we like to think that we work between government and industry,” she added. “ For us, being able to work in a collegial nature helps to bring the issue of water to bear and figuring out ways to increase water reuse is critical to the future of the planet.”
Hinman added that the ‘spotlight’ from receiving the award– combined with the growing urgency around water scarcity–will help boost education and acceptance around water reuse.
“CH2M’s work for public acceptance of drinking treated wastewater is impressive,” commented Peter Forssman, Chairman, Stockholm International Water Institute. “They are an engineering company that has gone beyond their technical roots to work for a better world. We must focus on the water we have, and make sure we use it well and can use it again, and again.”
