Students from Sri Lanka and Japan Honored as Finalists STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- With the magnitude of water scarcity and water quality issues in China well documented, Chinese youth are taking on the responsibility to seek viable solutions for their nation. Students Hao Wang, Jie Weng and Yi Xiao from Shanghai, China were awarded the prestigious Stockholm Junior Water Prize, sponsored globally by ITT Corporation, tonight in a formal ceremony during World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden. Wang, Weng and Xiao, students at Shanghai Nanyang Model High School, received the Prize from HRH Crown Princess Victoria on behalf of the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) for a research project that aims to ecologically restore urban Chinese river channels. The group of students received a $5,000 scholarship and a crystal sculpture. The International Stockholm Junior Water Prize, held during World Water Week from August 20 to 26, encourages young people globally to take note of issues related to water and the environment. Each year a high-school age student or group of students receives the international award after receiving the top national award in their home country. The National Country winners travel to Stockholm from as far as Israel, Australia, and Sri Lanka. "The impending water crisis is one that affects all nations, developed or undeveloped. Solutions to water issues must be researched further so that every country has access to safe, clean water," said Steve Loranger, President and Chief Executive Officer of ITT Corporation. "The International Stockholm Junior Water Prize provides a forum for our future environmental leaders to make strides in improving water quality on both local and national levels, and it encourages the world's youth to take action and research global water solutions today." The Nominating Committee, in its official motivation, awarded the Prize to the Chinese group of students for their project, "Application Research and Practice of a Comprehensive Technology for Restoring Urban River Channels Ecologically." This recognition marks the first year China, co-sponsored nationally by China's State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and ITT, received the international award since its participation in the competition began four years ago. "ITT began working with China's State Environmental Protection Agency to sponsor student participation in the Stockholm Junior Water Prize in an effort to support youth participation in solving the nation's water concerns," said Tom Martin, Senior Vice President, Corporate Relations of ITT Corporation. "By encouraging student efforts, China will be more prepared to handle the water environment issues it faces today and that it will face in the future. It is a true pleasure to see China receive this award and to be honoured for outstanding student water research." Technology for Restoring Urban River Channels Ecologically Shanghai and its surrounding areas are plagued with severely polluted river channels. To combat this environmental issue, the Chinese Prize winners explored several cost effective, highly efficient treatment methods originating from the concept of "urban pre-tank engineering technology" -- a combination of dredging, irrigation and spraying. The team developed and improved several methods, facilities and technologies, with four of these inventions earning patents in 2006. The students executed research on the Caoxi River, where the water is dark and odorous from pollutants. When integrating their innovations with comprehensive technology, the students' research had substantial positive effects on the water quality, raising levels to either reach or exceed the domestically recommended standard for surface water. The jury also awarded Sri Lanka and Japan honourable mentions as runner ups in the competition. Sri Lanka's recognition comes in its first year participating for the prize, also sponsored nationally by ITT. The student groups from both Sri Lanka and Japan sought solutions to major agricultural issues in their countries. With food and agriculture consuming the most water worldwide, these projects have both national and global implications. The awarded finalists are: -- A.P. Mihirani Kethumalika, G.D. Uthpala Rathnayake and J.M.A Chathurika Rathnayake, students at Maliyadewa Model School, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka for "Water Conservation in Paddy Cultivation" - The Sri Lankan project evaluates the effectiveness of applying "paddy straw mulch" on paddy fields as an alternative weed control practice. They concluded that in addition to controlling the weeds, and conserving water, this method is a meaningful and effective way to minimize the problems associated with water shortages locally, nationally and even globally. -- Satomi Kosyo, Sae Nishino and Naomi Sugimoto, students at Kyoto High School, Kyoto, Japan for "A Tiny Case with Big Possibilities -- Environment Friendly and Water Conserving Nursing Method for Rice Seedling Production" - In the agricultural sector there are few possibilities for disabled people to earn their living. Concern about this minority of labourers motivated the Japanese finalists to find new methods to germinate and nurse seedlings which could later be sold at a market. High-resolution photos from the award ceremony are available at http://www.worldwaterweek.org/. About the Stockholm Junior Water Prize The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) administers the competition on behalf of the Stockholm Water Foundation. The international competition is sponsored globally by ITT Corporation. Sponsors and Organizers About ITT Corporation ITT Corporation (http://www.itt.com/) supplies advanced technology products and services in several growth markets. ITT is a global leader in the transport, treatment and control of water, wastewater and other fluids. The company plays a vital role in international security through its defense communications and electronics products; space surveillance and intelligence systems; and advanced engineering and related services. It also serves the growing leisure marine and electronic components market with a wide range of products. Headquartered in White Plains, NY, the company generated $7.4 billion in 2005 sales. In addition to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE Arca), ITT Corporation stock is traded on the Paris, London and Frankfurt exchanges. For free B-roll/video content and logo about ITT Corporation, please log onto http://www.thenewsmarket.com/ITT to preview and request video. You can receive broadcast-standard video quality digitally or by tape from this site. Registration and video are free to the media. About the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) is a policy think tank that contributes to international efforts to combat the world's escalating water crisis. SIWI advocates future-oriented, knowledge-integrated water views in decision making, nationally and internationally, that lead to sustainable use of the world's water resources and sustainable development of societies. DATASOURCE: ITT Corporation CONTACT: Janice Gatti, +1-212-931-6143, Web site: http://www.worldwaterweek.org/ http://www.itt.com/ http://www.thenewsmarket.com/ITT

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