WATERLOO Challenge 2008 - Providing Water and Sanitation in Disaster Situation

As part of LIFE’s commitment to a platform for the world-at-large to contribute in a positive way to the environment, we are organizing the first annual WATERLOO Challenge 2008.

WATERLOO Challenge aims to inspire passionate researchers to bring innovative ideas or technologies for the betterment of human lives in economically developing Asian communities to fruition. Together with LIFE, WATERLOO Challenge winners will have the opportunity and resources to further develop and implement their concepts into affordable and socially- and culturally-acceptable projects for the target communities.

This year, the theme for WATERLOO Challenge 2008 is Providing Water and Sanitation in Disaster Situation. In the event of a catastrophe such as an earthquake, flood, or tsunami, the lack of clean drinking water is a major issue facing survivors. Without a source of clean water, water borne diseases may claim more lives.

The general response to this type of situation would be to airlift large amounts of bottled water into the affected areas. However, in such situations, transportation infrastructure may be damaged, and costly delays in providing water may occur. Moreover, a mountain of plastic bottles is left behind.

Finalists stand to receive cash prizes, as well as an opportunity for a sponsored trip to Singapore to present your solution.

For more information and to submit your application, email [email protected].

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The theme for WATERLOO Challenge 2008 is “Providing Water and Sanitation in Disaster Situation”. We invite all proposals related to improving water and sanitation practices in the aftermath of a disaster. These proposals should be innovations related to technologies or management techniques that would improve the quality of water in such a situation. These proposals should take into account:

      o Lack of reliable electricity supply on site
      o Variability in feed water
      o Reliability in adverse conditions
      o Robustness during transportation process
      o Size of Equipment and ease of transport
      o Cost
      o Ease of usage

http://www.ntu.edu.sg/cee/life/Waterloo%20Challenge/waterloo2008.htm