Great News | Standing out from 203 projects from 52 Countries, CWEG has Won the IWA Project Innovation Awards

On September 13, the International Water Association (IWA) World Water Congress Exhibition 2022 was held in Copenhagen, Denmark to honor 18 winners winning the IWA Project Innovation Awards (PIA). Announced every two years, this award aims to commend enterprises for making outstanding contributions and innovations in water science and technology, water management, and water research. Winners will be announced at the IWA World Water Congress Exhibition so as to encourage the industry partners to contribute to the sustainable development of water resources. China Water Environment Group was the only Chinese water enterprise that won the honour.

Dr Hou Feng, chairman of the CWEG, accepting the award

There are six categories of awards. Through public nomination, 203 applications from 52 countries have been received, setting a record high. With its innovation, effectiveness, design environment and potential for wider impact considered, CWEG’s Distributed Underground Reclaimed Water Ecosystem and its successful practice in the Dali project were highly recognized by experts from IWA.

Video showing the Dali Erhai Lake Project

Tom Mollenkopf, president of the IWA, has expressed his congratulations to CWEG and to Dr. Hou Feng for accepting the award on behalf of tens of thousands of Chinese researchers. According to him, the management of the Erhai Lake has improved the water environment and promoted the social and economic development by giving full play to the water, which is of critical significance for the world’s water environment. He also believes that this meeting is a good opportunity for communication and the promotion of technological innovation in the field of water environment.

Photo of Harsha Ratnaweera (left), professor of Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Tom Mollenkopf, president of IWA, and Dr Hou Feng (right), chairman of CWEG

Dr. Hou Feng, chairman of CWEG, was invited to deliver a speech at the ceremony. He expressed his gratitude to the experts, the government and the people for their support, care and understanding. In terms of water environment management and resource utilization, the technological system and mode innovation we adhere to are not only applicable to China, but also the whole world. I’m glad that what we have done is internationally recognized. Hou Feng said.

According to Kong Hainan, a chair professor of Shanghai Jiaotong University and the person in charge of National water pollution control and management technology major project in Erhai, the awards won by China Water Environment Group,Shanghai Jiaotong University and Dali Prefecture this time mark a milestone for China in the field of water science and technology. The wastewater interception mode in the Erhai Lake has realized the integration and efficient utilization of water resources, green energy and land resources, which is of leading significance for the world’s large lakes (larger than 200 square kilometers).

To understand that the Dali Erhai Lake project, through the building of a distributed underground reclaimed water ecosystem, has resolved the water environment challenge. There are 6 underground WWTPs around the Erhai Lake, like an artery forming to intercept and recycle the domestic sewage. This project has spared 15% of investment, saved 160 mu (approx. 10.7 ha.) of land and shortened the construction period by 9 months. There are 6 underground WWTPs around the Erhai Lake, like an artery forming to intercept and recycle the domestic sewage. By building the plant underground, the water and land resources have been fully utilized and the water quality and ecology of Erhai Lake have been greatly improved. In 2021, the water quality of Erhai Lake has reached Class II for 7 months, rating as excellent throughout the year. Ottelia acuminata, regarded as the touchstone of water quality, has been in full blossom after half a century.

Nowadays,water recycling has become a common challenge facing the world. Adhering to technical and management innovation, CWEG’s technology has covered all scenarios of water environment management and resource utilization. Being totally environment-friendly, the DURWecosystem has realized the efficient use of resources and maintained the ecological safety, further providing solutions for countries with water and land scarcity across the globe.

Dr.Hou Feng (right), chairman of CWEG and Dr. Cao Xiaoxin from Group’s Engineering Center.