MILWAUKEE, WI, Jan. 13, 2015 -- The Water Council recently announced that it has been chosen to receive a $100,000 Wells Fargo Clean Technology and Innovation (CTI) grant to fund the creation of the Water Research Pilot Project (WRPP), a program supporting the progression of new water technologies from the lab to demonstration sites for practical application. The CTI program supports technology advancements for a clean energy future.
The WRPP will aid in the growth and attainment of resources necessary for small- and medium-sized businesses to scale up and reach full commercialization. This project will partner with researchers, entrepreneurs and water technology companies. Research and development will be conducted at a micro level in the city of Milwaukee, Wis., before taking steps towards macro deployment across the world.
"The program follows The Water Council's new Leadership Strategic Vision," said Dean Amhaus, Water Council president and CEO, in reference to the WRPP. "One of the key strategies of the Vision is to lead and showcase how The Water Council's members can address integrated water solutions through innovation, application and demonstration."
The WRPP is a catalyst for young companies and professionals who are scalable and cost-effective and have the potential to make true social and environmental impacts. Stonehouse Water Technologies, for example, has been chosen as the first participant of the project for the development of a compact water filtration system called Water POD.
Water POD solves the problem of a lack of healthy, clean drinking water in underserved and distressed populations where water contamination is the norm. One unit can provide water for up to 1,000 people and is stackable, meaning more units can be added to serve larger populations. Wells Fargo's CTI Grant will support The Water Council in growing the WRPP to accommodate Water POD and future participants in the program with forward-thinking, innovative water solutions.
See also:
"Water Council receives SBA Regional Innovation Cluster Award"
"Water Council, JPMorgan Chase announce water investment partnership"
About The Water Council
The Water Council, the only organization of its kind in the U.S., was established in 2009 by Milwaukee-area businesses, education and government leaders. With more than 150 water technology companies in the Milwaukee area, the region’s water industry is a $10.5-billion market and accounts for 4 percent of the world's total water business. The non-profit organization, consisting of more than 160 members, is linking together global water technology companies, innovative water entrepreneurs, acclaimed academic research programs and, most importantly, some of the nation’s brightest and most energetic water professionals. For more information, visit www.thewatercouncil.com.
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