Alumnus James Barnard Awarded Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2011
James Barnard
MSEHE 1969
James Barnard (MSEHE 1969), a Black & Veatch engineer, was awarded Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2011 for outstanding contributions towards solving global water problems by either applying technologies or implementing policies and programs which benefit humanity. He developed the biological nutrient-removal technique known as Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR), which instead of using chemicals, uses naturally occurring microorganisms to remove nitrogen and phosphorus in wastewater.
Barnard began developing the technique in the 1970's in his native South Africa when it was facing water quality challenges. Known as the Father of Biological Nutrient Removal, he is also an Active Member of our department's Academy of Distinguished Alumni and received the prestigious Clarke Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Water Science and Technology in 2007.
The Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, which includes a cash award of $300,000, was established in 2008 to recognize contributions to solving global water issues. The award is sponsored by the Singapore Millennium Foundation.
He will be recognized during Singapore International Water Week, which will take place in early July 2011. Barnard plans to donate a portion of his prize money to educational causes in South Africa and to Engineers Without Borders.
For more information, contact: Linda Keyte.
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