A Stanford University professor won the 2007 Stockholm Water Prize on Thursday for his methods to improve biological treatment processes of water.
Perry L. McCarty will receive the $150,000 cash prize, along with a symbolic glass sculpture, on Aug. 16 at an awards ceremony in Stockholm during the World Water Week.
McCarty, 76, was cited for his “pioneering work in developing the scientific approach for the design and operation of water and wastewater systems.”
His work has helped define environmental biotechnology, which is the basis for small and large-scale pollution control and safe drinking water systems, the committee added.
McCarty has worked at Stanford since 1962 and has published more than 300 papers in water science, environmental engineering and microbiology.
The Stockholm Water Prize is awarded annually to individuals and institutions for making a substantial contribution to the preservation, enhancement or availability of the world’s water resources.
First awarded in 1991, the prize was founded by several companies, including Fujitsu Siemens, General Motors Corp., Swedish Railways and the Water Environment Federation. Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf is the patron of the prize.