Champion in Cholera Prevention Receives 2010 Stockholm Water Prize

Co-Founders of the Stockholm Water Prize, Borealis and Borouge are pleased to share the announcement of Dr Rita Colwell as 2010 Laureate in recognition of her pioneering research on the prevention of waterborne infectious diseases. The Stockholm Water Prize is the world’s most prestigious award for outstanding achievements in water-related activities.

Dr Colwell (76), Professor at the University of Maryland and John Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health in the United States, has helped protect the health and lives of millions through her exceptional contributions towards controlling the spread of cholera. Cholera infects 3 to 5 million people each year.

Dr Colwell is widely recognised as one of the most influential voices in science and technology associated with water and health. Through decades of scientific leadership she has defined the ecology of infectious diseases and developed advanced technologies to halt their spread. Her work has established the basis for environmental and infectious disease risk assessment used around the world. As a result of her work, scientists are now able to link changes in the natural environment to the spread of disease and models applying remote satellite imaging are able to track and predict outbreaks of cholera before they occur.

As co-Founders of the Stockholm Water Prize and initiators of the Water for the World™ programme, Borealis and Borouge are actively committed to promoting and supporting best practice in the management of water resources and in improving access to water and sanitation around the globe.

“Water related diseases kill more than 5000 people every day; more than AIDS and malaria combined,” comments Lorenzo Delorenzi, Borealis Executive Vice-President Polyolefins. “The Stockholm Water Prize demonstrates that research and innovation can truly make a difference to people’s lives, and this is what Borealis and Borouge set out to achieve in co-founding this award.”

Established in 2007, Water for the World has led a large number of projects, including creating a water supply for earthquake refugee resettlements in Italy and China, pioneering water footprint on plastics materials, providing 24/7 water access to 150 000 people in India, and water awareness-raising campaigns at community and schools levels.

Announced each March in connection with the UN World Water Day, the Stockholm Water Prize Laureate 2010 will be honoured at a Royal Prize Ceremony under the patronage of H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden on September 9, 2010, during World Water Week. The prize, administered by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) and founded by international companies in cooperation with the City of Stockholm, includes a USD 150 000 award.

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For further information please contact:

Borealis: Lena Aschauer, External Communications Manager
+43 1 22 400 602
lena.aschauer@borealisgroup.com

SIWI: Britt-Louise Andersson, SIWI Communications Director
+46 8 522 139 72
britt-louise.andersson@siwi.org

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