AWARDS
Since its creation, IWRA recognises the contributions towards water management and the excellence of water researchers, professionals and organisations. IWRA presents 5 main awards.
Crystal Drop Award
Awarded to individuals or organisations in recognition of their laudable contribution to the improvement of the world’s water situation. The Crystal Drop Award is awarded once every three years and presented at the IWRA World Water Congress organised by IWRA.
The 2023 recipients of the Crystal Drop Award are Olcay Ünver and K-Water.
Ünver and K-Water received this award during the XVIII World Water Congress which took place in Beijing, People’s Republic of China (September 11-15, 2023).
Previous Recipients
2020: Doğan Altinbilek
2017: Hilda Cecilia Tortajada Quiroz and Salman M. A. Salman
2015: Vijay P. Singh
2011: International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
2008: Mahmoud Abu-Zeid
2005: Malin Falkenmark
2003: Benedito Braga
2000: Yutaka Takahasi
1997: Rotary International
1994: Asit K. Biswas
1991: Yahia Abdel Mageed
1988: UNEP and its Executive Director Dr. Mostafa Kamal (joint award)
1985: UNICEF
Ven Te Chow Memorial Award and Lecture
IWRA established the Ven Te Chow Memorial Award and Lecture to honour its founder and first president, the renowned hydrologist Dr. Ven Te Chow. This prestigious lecture, delivered during the triennial World Water Congresses, celebrates his legacy and showcases outstanding contributions to the field of water resources management.
Since 1988, the Ven Te Chow Memorial Award and Lecture have recognised exceptional individuals whose work embodies the pioneering spirit and excellence of Dr. Chow.
The 2023 recipient of the Ven Te Chow Memorial Award is Prof. Jun Xia.
Prof. Xia received this award during the XVIII World Water Congress which took place in Beijing, People’s Republic of China (September 11-15, 2023).
Previous Recipients
2020: Soontak Lee
2017: V. P. Singh
2015: Rabi Mohtar
2011: Peter H. Gleick
2008: John Pigram
2005: Benedito Braga
2003: Asit K. Biswas
2000: Janusz Kindler
1997: Glenn E. Stout
1996: Ben Chie Yen
1994: Andras Szollosi-Nagy
1991: Malin Falkenmark
1988: Vujica M. Yevjevich
Water Drop Award
Since 2020, IWRA has recognised outstanding students and early-career professionals, typically under the age of 35, through the prestigious Water Drop Award. This award celebrates innovative contributions to the water sector, which may include groundbreaking research on water issues, entrepreneurial initiatives, or efforts to elevate the profile of younger professionals in the field.
The 2023 recipient of the Water Drop Award is Lindsey Blodgétt
Linsdey Blodgétt received this award during the XVIII World Water Congress which took place in Beijing, People’s Republic of China (September 11-15, 2023).
Previous Recipients
2020: Laura Movilla Pateiro
Water International Best Paper Award
The Best Paper Award and Honourable Mention are presented annually to the author(s) of an article published in Water International. These awards recognise outstanding contributions to water resources management, based on the originality, innovation, technical quality, and overall impact of the research.
IWRA awardees during the XVII World Water Congress in Daegu, on November 29, 2021
RECENT AWARDEES
BEST PAPER 2022 AWARDEES
Institutions for reoperating reservoirs in semi- arid regions facing climate change and competing societal water
demands: insights from Colorado
Laura Turley, Christian Bréthaut &; Géraldine Pflieger
Water International, 47.1, 30-54 doi10.1080/02508060.2021.1981636
Public water without (public) financial mediation? Remunicipalizing water in Valladolid, Spain
Jorge Garcia-Arias, Hug March, Nuria Alonso, & Mar Satorras
Water International, 47.5, 733-750 doi 10.1080/02508060.2022.2057071
BEST PAPER 2021 AWARDEE
Governing water insecurity: navigating indigenous water rights and regulatory politics in settler colonial states
Nicole J. Wilson, Teresa Montoya, Rachel Arsenault & Andrew Curley
Water International, 46.6, 783-801 doi 10.1080/02508060.2021.1928972
BEST PAPER 2018 AWARDEE
Water security and the pursuit of food, energy, and earth systems resilience
Christopher A. Scott, Tamee R. Albrecht, Rafael De Grenade, Adriana Zuniga-Teran, Robert G. Varady, and Bhuwan Thapa
Water International, 43.8, 1055-1074. Doi 10.1080/02508060.2018.1534564
BEST PAPER 2019 AWARDEE
“Hotel Middle East”: social shocks and adaptation in Jordan’s domestic water sector
Natasha Westheimer, Michael Gilmont, and Troy Sternberg
Water International, 44.4, 444-462. Doi 10.1080/02508060.2019.1622277
BEST PAPER 2020 AWARDEE
The devil’s in the details: data exchange in transboundary waters.
Patience Mukuyu, Jonathan Lautze, Alistair Rieu-Clarke, Davison Saruchera, and Matthew McCartney
Water International, 45:7-8, 884-900. Doi 10.1080/02508060.2020.1850026
Other Special Awards
Institutions responsible for water resources management play a critical role in delivering this vital resource to people while protecting the environment. Amid ever-evolving challenges and pressures, effective water management requires the integration of robust knowledge, sound science, appropriate policies, and efficient implementation.
This award recognises regional, national, or local institutions that have demonstrated sustained excellence in water resources management. By highlighting their achievements, the award aims to share valuable experiences and insights with organisations, scientists, and water professionals worldwide, fostering sustainable and equitable water management practices.
The Prize
The award was presented during the Awards Ceremony at the IWRA World Water Congress. It included a special plaque and a certificate, which were awarded to a representative of the recognised institution.
XV World Water Congress Special Award for Excellence in Water Resources Management
The special award was presented at the XV World Water Congress in Edinburgh, Scotland. There were two awardees:
The Scottish Government
CONAGUA
50th Anniversary Awards
On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary, IWRA created the 50th Anniversary Awards to mark the milestone. These awards were given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the growth of the Association, positioning IWRA as a source of thought leadership and water knowledge, raising youth awareness of the water issues, and the profile of young professionals in IWRA. The winners were announced during the XVII World Water Conference, from November 29th to December 3rd, 2021, in Daegu, Rep. of Korea.
To honour the people who have served and supported the mission of IWRA over the past half-century, the 50th Anniversary Committee established the following five award categories listed below. Following a call for nominations, the winners were selected by the Awards Committee (Rabi Mohtar, Christina Leb, Majduline El-Tahir and Renée Martin-Nagle).
- Global Reach to recognise those who helped IWRA achieve a global presence – James Nickum / Malin Falkenmark
- Foundation to recognise key members of staff who volunteered their time – Ben Dziegielewski
- Past to recognise those who were most influential in IWRA’s early years – Cecilia Tortajada / Hiroshi Hori
- Present to recognise those who have been most influential in recent years – Salman Salman / Gary Jones • Future to recognise those who are expected to lead
- IWRA into the future – Bassel Daher.
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