From left to right: Tom Glover, VP Communications of ITT Fluid & Motion Control, Rebecca Ye, U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize Winner, and Jeanette Brown, President-Elect of the Water Environment Federation (WEF)
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., June 23, 2010 — Rebecca Ye of Bangor, Maine was named the U.S. winner of the 2010 Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP)—the most prestigious international student competition for water-related research—during a ceremony this past weekend at the Sheraton City Center in St. Louis, Mo. Ye's project was selected from more than 40 winners of state-level SJWP competitions. The Water Environment Federation (WEF) administers the U.S. competition with support from ITT Corporation and other major corporations. ITT is also the SJWP's international sponsor.
The student's work introduced an innovative method of rapidly detecting strains of pathogenic bacteria E. Coli in water. Ye's proposed technique would significantly decrease the amount of time it takes to identify E. Coli and thus enable quick corrective action to be taken when bacterial contamination is detected in water.
"As water quality regulation increasingly becomes a fundamental public concern, research like Rebecca's will be invaluable to secure the safety of our water," said Angela Buonocore, senior vice president and chief communications officer, ITT. "ITT is proud of our continuing support of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize and the outstanding water research the competition generates."
Ye, who attends Bangor High School in Bangor, Maine, received $3,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Stockholm, Sweden, where she will compete against national winners from more than 30 countries for the international honor during World Water Week, September 5-11, 2010.
In addition, Ye's school will receive a $1,000 grant toward enhancing water science education and she will present her research to thousands of water quality professionals at WEFTEC® 2010—the Water Environment Federation's 83rd annual technical exhibition and conference—this October in New Orleans, La.
Three U.S. finalists, Akshar Wunnava from Chantilly, Va., April Choi from Glen Rock, N.J., and Collin McAliley of Melbourne Beach, Fla., each received a $1,000 award.
This year marks the 14th consecutive year that ITT has sponsored the international SJWP competition. For more information about SJWP and to download the winning abstracts, visit www.itt.com.
About ITT Corporation
ITT Corporation is a high-technology engineering and manufacturing company operating on all seven continents in three vital markets: water and fluids management, global defense and security, and motion and flow control. With a heritage of innovation, ITT partners with its customers to deliver extraordinary solutions that create more livable environments, provide protection and safety and connect our world. Headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., the company generated 2009 revenue of $10.9 billion. www.itt.com
About WEF
Formed in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization with 36,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. WEF and its Member Associations proudly work to achieve our mission of preserving and enhancing the global water environment. www.wef.org
About the SJWP
The Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) is the world's most prestigious youth award for a water-related science project. The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) administers the SJWP, with H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden as the Patron. ITT Corporation is the global sponsor.
The national and international competitions are open to young people between the age of 15 and 20 who have conducted water-related projects focusing on local, regional, national or global topics of environmental, scientific, social or technological importance. The international winner receives a $5,000 award and a crystal sculpture. As a result of the competitions, thousands of young people around the world become interested in water. www.sjwp.org
Press Contact:
Jenny Schiavone
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jennifer.schiavone@itt.com