The annual Lighthouse Awards recognise pioneers and visionaries who are driving change in water technology. The Brave Blue World Foundation launched the Lighthouse Awards in 2020 to recognise corporations and utilities that are reducing their impact in water stressed regions, including those implementing circular practices and establishing ambitious targets with tangible timelines. The Awards enable the industry to celebrate each other’s success and to learn from the trials and tribulations encountered along the way.
First large-scale cellulose recovery plant
Collaboration is the key to success for CirTec in implementing its groundbreaking solution for recovering and reusing cellulose from sewage at the world's first large-scale cellulose recovery plant at Severn Trent’s Net Zero Hub Sewage Treatment Works in Strongford (UK). This groundbreaking project aims to extract digestible residual streams and clean cellulose from influent. The process involves re-treating the residue stream on-site to produce biogas, and drying and cleaning the cellulose to create a marketable semi-finished product. It signifies a major advancement in resource recovery and sustainability in the water treatment industry. The project is a collaboration between CirTec, Severn Trent, AtkinsRealis, JN Bentley, and the project team at the Net Zero Hub to reduce waste, conserve resources, and protect the environment.
“We are extremely happy to receive the Lighthouse Award,” said Coos Wessels, CEO of CirTec. “This recognition reaffirms our commitment to pushing the boundaries of water technology and resource recovery, especially from sewage. Our team's hard work and passion have led to solutions that benefit communities and the environment.”
The Awards ceremony took place at the Assembly Rooms in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland, where industry influencers, decision-makers and water professionals gathered to celebrate innovation at the BlueTech Forum 2024. The jury recognised CirTec's innovative approach and commitment to recovering raw materials from sewage, saving energy and reducing the carbon footprint of sewage treatment plants.
About CirTec
CirTec's award-winning innovations include advanced sewage treatment systems and sustainable designs. CirTec was recently acquired by Nijhuis Saur Industries and their customers can now benefit from a complete portfolio of sewage treatment systems.
As the water sector faces unprecedented challenges, CirTec remains committed to creating positive change. Being awarded the Lighthouse Award underlines its position as one of the leading cellulose recovery companies in the industry.
Rainwater solutions for rural Vietnam
Other winners included Apple in partnership with Gravity Water for bringing safe, clean water to 131 schools in northern Vietnam. This collaboration is connected to Apple’s water strategy to address water availability, water quality, and water accessibility in its supply chain around the world. With its innovative, climate-resilient rainwater harvesting and filtration technology, Gravity Water supplies over 38,000 students in Hòa Bình province with a clean water source.
Reducing Water Losses with Artificial Intelligence
Also recognised was the cooperation between Microsoft and FIDO Tech. They initiated a collaboration to address water losses in London and the broader Thames Water region. FIDO Tech, known for its AI-driven solutions for leak detection, is leveraging Microsoft's technological infrastructure to enhance its capabilities. This partnership supports Microsoft's commitment to becoming water positive by 2030 by reducing non-revenue water through AI-powered leak detection, which is anticipated to save millions of cubic metres of water annually. Thames Water’s target is to reduce leakage by 20 percent by 2025 and halve it by 2050 by performing over 1,300 repairs every week.
