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World Water Challenge

The World Water Challenge is an international contest for water solutions. Since created as a special program of the Science and Technology Process in the 7th World Water Forum, it has been annually held in conjunction with the Korea International Water Week (KIWW), aiming to identify imminent water problems that the world is facing and to find feasible solutions to them.

Objectives

To share the appropriate and innovative technologies and know-hows based on the best practice of Implementation towards solving the prioritized global water challenges

To raise the world's awareness on the water issues as well as the importance of the role of science and technology in solving the water challenges

To provide a networking opportunity among participants from the water-related corporations and organizations to create a business opportunity and make an inroad into the global market by presenting those innovative solutions

Overview

Host/Organizer

  • Ministry of Environment / Korea Water Form

Participants

  • Anyone (as individual or on behalf of an organization) who is interested in water

Application

  • Online submission through the KIWW website

Award

  • Selected solution providers will be invited to the KIWW. The winners will be rewarded with a cash prize and trophy at the closing ceremony of the KIWW.

Final Results of the previous World Water Challenges

World Water Challenge 2023 Final Result

Main Focus Challenges and Solutions Remarks
Water and Wastewater Treatment Challenge

Energy-efficient (or Carbon-emission-reducing) Water Recycling and Reuse

Solution

elerGreen Production and Waste Valorization from Water Pollutants using Renewable Electricity
Hui Huang Hoe (Canada/ elerGreen Industry Corporation)

Solution

Next-generation wastewater treatment process for carbon and energy neutralities
Rahul Gajanan Kadam(South Korea/South Chosun University)

Solution

Recycling of wastewater to recover fresh water, reduce brine discharge and capture CO2
Hyoungkun Leo Park(USA/Capture 6)

The Best
Efficient Water Management Challenge

Sustainable Water Resource Management

Solution

Clean Water Village:Sustainable Water Resource Management Action from Catchment to Villagers
Lin Yuru(China/Changjiang River Scientific Research Institute)

Outstanding
Water and Natural Disasters Challenge

Flood/Drought Risk Assessment and Management

Solution

Climate resilient water management software powered by satellite imaging & AI
Nataliya Mykhaylova(Canada/WeavAir)

Challenge

Depletion and Pollution of Water Caused by Natural Disaster

Solution

SWC
Yin Chi Liu(Taiwan/Ming Chi University of Technology)

Outstanding
Ecosystem and Water Challenge

Nature-based Solutions for Ecological Recovery and Resilient Water Cycle

Solution

Nature based river rejuvenation: Mandakini River, India (part of Ganga basin)
Meesha Tandon(India/KRESP)

Solution

Bamboo oasis
Zhen-Yan Zeng(Taiwan/Ming Chi University of Technology)

World Water Challenge 2022 Final Result

Main Focus Challenges and Solutions Remarks
Water and Health Challenge

Scale-up of WASH for Public Health

Solution

Empowering the local to access safe and sustainable drinking water in Laos Juliette Richard(Laos/ Abundant Water)

Outstanding
Solution

Improving Access to WASH in school constructing latrines and hand washing facility. Natan Molla(Ethiopia/JImma University)

Efficient Water Management Challenge

Integrated Management of Diversified Water Resources

Solution

Micro solar desalinator, easily producible in underdeveloped countries Hunkyun Park(South Korea/Solarinno Co, Ltd.)

The Best
Water and Natural Disasters Challenge

Flood Prevention and Management for Sustainable Water Cycle and Urban Regeneration

Solution

Emergency Water Response (EWR) Unit Kimberly Limpahan(Philippines/ NXTLVL Water Technology Inc.)

Solution

Conservation and Income Generation through the construction of Ponds Durga Kumar Thapa (Nepal/ Hamro Prabidhi : Ramro Nepal )

Ecosystem and Water Challenge

Nature-based solutions for ecological recovery and reinstate natural process of rivers

Solution

Restoration of the Riverine Ecosystem Through the Application of Nature-based Riparian Eco-belts
NASH JETT REYES(South Korea/ KONGJU NATIONAL UNIVERSITY)

Resource Recovery from Water and Wastewater System Challenge

Energy Efficiency in Sewage, Waste water, and Sea Water Recycling and Reuse

Solution

Reuse of Fecal Sludge for Income and Environmental Quality Maintenance
Abubakari Zarouk Imoro(Ghana/University for Development Studies)

Challenge

NEXUS for Efficient Utilization of Limited Water Resources and Energy Recovery

Solution

Grid connected solar irrigation pumps for economic and sustainable water solution
Kamala Dhakal(Nepal/ Kinnovation Trading Pvt.Ltd.)

Outstanding
Smart Water Technologies Challenge

'Smart' Solutions for Water Management : Definition and Case of 'Smart Solutions' by Region, Sector, and Target

Solution

SISAM: Improved Solar Irrigation Solution Maddalena Curioni(France/Electriciens sans frontières)

World Water Challenge 2020 Final Result

Main Focus Challenges and Solutions Remarks
Water and Health
(Special Topic of WWCH 2020)
Challenge

Scale-up of WASH for Public Health

Solution

(Solution 1) An Innovative Toilet System for Low-income Countries for Covid-19 and SDG 6
Mr. Janith Madubasha Dissanayake, Waterfirst Laboratory, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea

(Solution 2) Resource Circulation Sanitation Showcase to Provide Sustainable Sanitation in Remote Areas
Dr. Shervin Hashemi, Institute for Environmental Research, Yonsei University, Republic of Korea

(Solution 3) Engaging Public, Private, and Civil Society Groups in WASH Through Women-Led Output Based Aid (WOBA)
Mr. Khouankeo Ardphasouk, Thrive Net-Works/ East Meets West Foundation, Lao PDR.

Resource Recovery from Water and Wastewater System Challenge

Energy Efficiency in Sewage, Waste water, and Sea Water Recycling and Reuse

Solution

(Solution 4) Gravit’eau: a mobile handwashing station with automatic water recycling
Mr. Tom Fitzpatrick, Terre des Hommes, UK

OUSTANDING

(Solution 5) Seawater cooling for photovoltaic solar power greenhouses and agriculture
Mr. Volker Korrmann, IrrigationNets.com, Germany

Smart Water Technologies Challenge

ICBM, ICT based Water Management

Solution

(Solution 6) Intelligent water leak management platform
Prof. Dr. Young-June Choi, WI.Plat Co.,Ltd., Republic of Korea

Challenge

'Smart' Solutions for Water Management : Definition and Case of 'Smart Solutions' by Region, Sector, and Target

Solution

(Solution 7) SMART Tech in support of Low Tech for Pumping Water Uphill
Mr. Auke Idzenga, Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc., Philippines

OUSTANDING
Ecosystem and Water Challenge

Nature-based Solutions for Ecological Recovery and Reinstate Natural Process of Rivers

Solution

(Solution 8) Restoration Hydro™: A watershed approach to standard modular new hydropower
Ms. Gia Schneider, Natel Energy and Restoration Hydro™, Natel Energy Inc., USA

Challenge

Ecological Urban Water Cycle in Adaptation of Climate Change

Solution

(Solution 9) Extraction of Water from Air at Zero Energy Expenditure to Mitigate Water and Energy Crisis in India
Dr. Senthil Kumar Sadasivam, Geobiotechnology Laboratory, National College (Autonomous), India

THE BEST

World Water Challenge 2019 Final Result

Topic Title of Problems and Solutions Remarks
Efficient Water Management

(Solution) Sponge-An innovation in irrigation for sustainable farming

Outstanding

(Solution) A water kiosk at school

The Best

(Solution) Smart Technology for Integrated Management of Diversified Water Resources

Resource Recovery from Water and Wastewater System

(Solution) Novel Fertilizer Production from Human Urine in Membrane Distillation Process

Outstanding

(Solution) Improving Water Security through Water-Energy Nexus Approach in Danang city of Vietnam

(Solution) Solar Dew – Solar Water purification and desalination for households and communities

Water and Natural Disasters

(Solutions) Exploiting the synergies between sustainable urban drinage systems(SUDS) and urban farming in Vinh Yen City, Vietnam

(Solution) Rejuvenation of Lake Mahadevapura using Nature Based Systems

Smart Water Technologies

(Solution) AgriHydro A Smart Technology to Better Irrigation Management in IWRM platform

World Water Challenge 2018 Final Result

Topic Title of Problems and Solutions Remarks
Efficient Water Management

(Challenge) Low Agricultural Water Productivity in Urmia Lake Basin, Iran

(Solution) The Buried Diffuser : an Effective Underground Irrigation System for Optimal Water Management

Resource Recovery from Water and Wastewater System

(Challenge) Septage Management in the Urban Areas of Indonesia

(Solution) Sustainable Rainbow

(Solution) Septage Management through Decentralization of Septic Tanks and Community Participatory Approach

The Best
Water and Natural Disasters

(Challenge) Choluteca River in Honduras, "Mad Water“

(Solution) Quesungual Belt for Flood Mitigation

Smart Water Technologies

(Challenge) Problems Pertinent to Prevalence of Excessive Fluoride in Different Water Sources (Worldwide)

(Solution) Low-cost and Low-tech Defluoridator Device Based on Calcium Phosphate

Outstanding
Ecosystem and Water

(Challenge) Water Insecurity in Manoka, Cameroon

(Solution) Multiple Water Solutions for Water Insecurity in Manoka Islands

Outstanding

(Solution) Water Resource Management for Future Water Security

World Water Challenge 2017 Final Result

Topic Title of Problems and Solutions Country Remarks
Efficient Water Management

(Challenge) Current Onsite Sanitation System in the Urban Areas of Bhutan is not Adequate

Bhutan

(Solution) Compact and improved onsite sanitation using renewable energy and plastic waste biofilter media

Australia Outstanding

(Challenge) Current Onsite Sanitation System in the Urban Areas of Bhutan is not Adequate

Bhutan

(Solution) Sanitation Revolution: From Waste to Resource

Korea Excellent

(Challenge) Drainage Water Reuse in Egypt

Egypt

(Challenge) How Can Rainwater Harvesting Be Implemented to Obtain an Alternative Resource in HCMC, Mekong Delta?

Vietnam

(Solution) Groundwater Recharge Wells

Indonesia Outstanding

(Challenge) How Can Rainwater Harvesting Be Implemented to Obtain an Alternative Resource in HCMC, Mekong Delta?

Vietnam

(Solution) VAC Initiative for rainwater self-collection system for public space in Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam
Resource Recovery from Water and Wastewater System

(Challenge) Water Scarcity and Saline Groundwater Affecting Local Community of Kojani, Zanzibar

Tanzania

(Solution) A bucket brings fresh water, Sorain Bucket

Korea The Best
Water and Natural Disasters

(Challenge) RasGharib Floods

Egypt

(Challenge) Water Scarcity Issues in the Small Hilly Villages of Under Pemagatshel District in Bhutan

Bhutan

(Solution) Self-Tank Roof Water Harvesting Soil Cement base Ferro Cement Tank

Nepal Outstanding

(Challenge) Villagers Suffering from Draught and Arsenic Water Simultaneously

Nepal
Smart Water Technologies

(Challenge) Drinking Water and Sanitation Problem in Bamgha Village, Gulmi Nepal

Nepal

(Solution) Low cost Do it Yourself Rain water harvesting in cooperation with Local Government

Nepal Outstanding

(Challenge) Near the Water without Water

Kazakhstan

(Challenge) Water Management Crisis in Cisangkuy River and Bandung Mega City in Indonesia

Indonesia

(Solution) Integrated Urban Water Management: Tradition to Solution for Cities

India Outstanding

(Challenge) Water Management Crisis in Cisangkuy River and Bandung Mega City in Indonesia

Indonesia

(Solution) Improving water management with a game-based approach

Denmark

(Challenge) Water Management Crisis in Cisangkuy River and Bandung Mega City in Indonesia

Indonesia

(Solution) Smart water management to overcome water crisis in Cisangkuy river and Bandung mega city, Indonesia

Korea Excellent

World Water Challenge 2016 Final Result

Topic Title of Problems and Solutions Country Remarks
Efficient Water Management

(Challenge) A Safe Water Crisis in the Southwest Coastal Area of Bangladesh

Bangladesh

(Challenge) Water Scarcity isolated islands in Greece using fossil fueled electricity

Sweden

(Solution) Low electricity desalination based on smart water grid in islands

Korea Excellent

(Challenge) Effective Farm-level Water Management by the Water Users Association in the Central Asia

Uzbekistan

(Solution) Effective Farm-Level Water Management by Water Users Association in Central Asia

Uzbekistan

(Challenge) Leakage Reduction Activities in Developing Countries

Korea

(Solution) Akvo Caddisly: Water Quality testing on a mobile phone

Netherlands
Resource Recovery from Water and Wastewater System

(Challenge) Wastewater Reuse in Agriculture in Mexico

Mexico

(Solution) Atotonilco Wastewater Treatment Plant

Mexico Outstanding

(Challenge) Low-cost DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Type Water Purifier

Korea

(Solution) Aastha Bio Sand filter

Nepal Outstanding

(Challenge) Appropriate Technologies for Water Purification in Underdeveloped Countries

Korea

(Solution) Development of water purifier with filter made by raw materials in Cambodia

Korea The Best

(Solution) Phytoremediation for clean drinking water systems

France Outstanding

(Solution) Off-grid Stand-alone Solar PV Generation & Water Purification Hybrid System

Korea Outstanding
Water and Natural Disasters

(Challenge) Difficulties in Access to a Limited Drinking Water Source

Nepal

(Challenge) Problems of Untreated Sewage Discharge during the Wet Season

Korea

(Solution) "the gas tracer method"

Morocco Excellent

(Challenge) Safety Management of the Water Infrastructures Subjected to Climate Change

Korea

(Solution) Sustainability in the management of transboundary water resources

Switzerland Outstanding
Smart Water Technologies

(Challenge) Difficulties in Agriculture by Locally Shifting Season

Indonesia

World Water Challenge 2015 Final Result

No. Title of Problems and Solutions Country Remarks
1

(Challenge) Flooding in Citarum river

Indonesia

(solution) Flood Forecasting and Warning System for Citarum River Basin

Indonesia Excellent
2

(Challenge) Development and operation of an early flood warning system including capacity development

worldwide

(solution) An open source, user friendly flood early warning and forecasting system

Canada Outstanding
3

(Challenge) Safe Water Sources for Coastal Slums

Nigeria

(solution) Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) and Boat Delivery system for Drinking Water Supply at Coastal Slums of Makoko

Korea Outstanding
4

(Challenge) Water Scarcity in the Desert Communities of Western Rajasthan

India
5

(Challenge) Arid islands on South Aegean Sea facing water scarcity and overloaded energy systems

Greece

(solution) Dimensioning desalination units using Renewable Energy Sources on the arid islands of South Aegean Sea

Greece Excellent
6

(Challenge) No easy acces to water for many upland villages and farms

worldwide

(solution) Green Revolution by implementing Low solar energy water pump

Nepal Outstanding
7

(Challenge) Securing Water for Food: A Grand Challenge to Meet Food Crisis

Pakistan

(solution) Promoting rain and wastewater harvesting techniques among rain-fed communities of Pakistan

Pakistan Excellent
8

(Challenge) Abakaliki, a pottential Eco-city in Nigeria

Nigeria
9

(Challenge) Water In Crisis

Cambodia
10

(Challenge) Rural water problem

Colombia

(solution) EKOMURO H2O+ COLLECTING RAINWATER IN USED PET CONTAINERS IN SCHOOLS AND URBAN POVERTY REGIONS

Colombia The Best
11

(Challenge) Self sustained water desalinator for each family in remote area

worldwide

(solution) Low Cost Multi Effect Solar Still

Korea Excellent
12

(Challenge) Wastewater crises in Izbet El Islah

Egypt

(solution) Self sufficient triple-stage treatment process for Izbet El-Islah wastewater crisis

Egypt Excellent
13

(Challenge) The Need For a Good Quality Water Source for Citizens of Gwangju Metropolitan City.

Korea

(solution) The suggestion for operating of public sewage treatment plants through the introduction of Basin Sewerage Integrated Management System

Korea Outstanding
14

(Challenge) What are the positive and negative influence according to the construction of sewage (Interceptor, P/S, CSOs) in combined drainage system area?

Vietnam
15

(Challenge) Managing complexity and dealing with distrust in transboundary basins: An example of the Aral Sea basin of Central Asia

Uzbekistan

World Water Challenge

  • Email wwch@koreawaterforum.org