WISA co-hosts an evening of academic excellence in the Biennial G J Stander Commemorative Lectures together with the Water Research Commission (WRC) with the objective of hosting a main speaker holding an eminent position nationally or internationally within the water industry. The evening also provides for two "junior" researchers to present their findings on water related issues.
WISA bestows a number of awards in recognition of achievement in the fields of water science, engineering and technology. These are in different categories and are not automatically awarded each year as a strict set of judging criteria must satisfy the various panels before an award is bestowed.
(a) Aqua Vita Est Award
Aqua Vita Est Summary:
There are two awards - one for individual/s and the other for a Branch/Division.
Awarded to:
Member/s or non-member/s of WISA - group activities qualify
(b) Foundation for Water Research (United Kingdom)
The Foundation for Water Research (FWR) offers an award for the best paper, presented at the WISA Biennial Conference, by a young presenter (born in 1970 or later), in the field of water science and technology. The award consists of a year’s membership of the FWR and a shield containing the author’s name.
(c) GG Cillié Award
The Anaerobic Processes Division annually awards the GG Cillié Award which is intended to honour the contribution of Dr GG Cillié to research on water treatment, by promoting contributions from university students on anaerobic digestion research. The award consists of a floating trophy and book prize valued at R1 000.
(d) Piet Vosloo Award
This award, in the form of a citation certificate, is offered for a notable technical achievement in the water field.
Requirements for submissions are:
A completed project involving innovative technology in the water field to the benefit of the effective management of water resources. The project may be in any area of the water field including:
Water supply, treatment, distribution and conservation;
wastewater collection, treatment, disposal and re-use; and
water pollution control and prevention.
Nominations should be accompanied by a brief precise description of the project of not more than two A4 pages.
(e) Umgeni Award
Umgeni Water Board sponsors an annual cash award to the principal author of a paper which, in the opinion of the Council of WISA, makes a noteworthy contribution to water science and engineering. The current value of this award is R5 000 and will be accompanied by a certificate and a bronze medal (or certificates and medals in the case of co-authors) bearing the name of the sponsor together with the coat of arms of the institute and the name(s) of the successful author and co-authors. The award, based on papers published during any present year, will be presented during the following year. Should the standard of nomination not be acceptable, an award will not necessarily be made.
Requirements for submissions are:
The principal author must be a member of the Water Institute of Southern Africa;
The paper must have been accepted by WISA for presentation at a branch or specialist division meeting or a conference/symposium in which WISA is involved;
Alternatively the paper must have been published in a South African journal approved by the Council of WISA or conference/symposium documentation or proceedings;
The length of the paper and rules for the preparation of manuscripts should be as presently adopted by WISA with respect to conference papers or as required by the editors of "approved" journals;
The language of presentation shall be English;
The author must submit a written application accompanied by three copies of the paper; and
Alternatively, any member of WISA, subject to the approval of the author, may nominate a paper by another member if he considers it to be worthy of consideration for the award.
(f) Wilson Award
The Wilson Award was initiated to commemorate the late Dr Wilson’s dedicated approach to his work and his efforts in developing the Southern African Branch of the Institute of Sewage Purification which, in 1967, changed its name to the Institute of Water Pollution Control. When the latter organisation was disbanded in 1987, and the Water Institute of Southern Africa formed, it was decided to carry on with this tradition.
The award acknowledges the combined competence and initiative of the owner and works manager of a wastewater treatment works, having a total design capacity of up to 25 000 kl / day average dry weather flow.
Requirements for submissions are:
Nominations with the names of the installation, the owner and the manager as well as names and signatures of the proposer and seconder, are invited. A marking schedule is available on request.
(g) WISA Excellence in Rural Water Supply Award
This award is new and was first presented in 2001 to the Water Committee of the Nhlungwane Water Supply in KwaZulu-Natal. This award is set to expand nationally.
The main criteria set for the award are:
The scheme must have been in operation for more than three years;
The scheme must be running well;
The scheme must be demonstrably sustainable; and
The scheme must be paying its own way.
The purpose of the award is to honour and publicize genuine good practice in the operation and maintenance of rural water supplies systems.