Pioneering water treatment technology is finalist for major award
The pioneering work of Trevor Costello and Simon Bland in water cleansing technology has been recognised by one of the world’s most prestigious environmental award schemes.
The pair have developed an ozonation machine which takes a powerful form of water disinfection and develops it into something smaller, more efficient and cheaper to run than any device so far built. Costello and Bland call this project Aqua21. This impressive work has gained them a place on a final shortlist of three in The St Andrews Prize for the Environment 2012, an award scheme that recognises significant contributions to environmental issues and concerns.
The pair built the original prototype at Imperial College in 2011. The latest versions of the technology further refine its ability to develop and manage oxidative molecules at lower temperatures than previously available. Costello and Bland have also increased the technology’s efficiency and made it scalable to water cleaning projects ranging from industrial applications to everyday kitchens.
The result is a machine that could, as one water company executive put it, “change the paradigm of water safety”.
The Aqua21 project has already attracted the interest of the water supply industry, water customers and NGOs and won a grant from SMART:Scotland for prototype development. Being shortlisted for the St Andrews’ prize both guarantees a further injection of cash into the project and a platform for the Aqua21 project to seek further funding and support to commercialise its concept. As one of the three finalists, Aqua21 is guaranteed $25,000. The winning entrant will win $100,000.
Trevor Costello, co-founder, Aqua21, says: “We have long believed that this technology could revolutionise the process of water cleaning. It is enormously gratifying that this potential is now being recognised by industry, government and, of course, the prestigious St Andrews Prize.”