SECTION A: INDIVIDUAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Lifetime Achievement in Water Sustainability
Description: Honors an individual with more than 20 years of high-impact, outstanding contributions in advancing water and wastewater sustainability, policy, education, or innovation. Recognizes their long-term influence on the sector at a national or international scale.
Eligibility:
- Senior professionals, scientists, policymakers, or industry veterans with proven track record.
- Must demonstrate at least 20+ years of work in the field.
Judging Criteria (100 points):
- Innovation introduced (15)
- Long-term impact on society, industry, or research (25)
- Sustainability of contributions (25)
- Mentorship/Leadership (20)
- Recognition (awards, policies shaped, published work, standards influenced) (15)
Notes: Nominations must include CV, bibliography/portfolio, 2 recommendation letters.
Young Researcher Award (Below 35)
Description: Encourages research-driven innovation by scientists or engineers below 35 who have shown significant promise in addressing water, wastewater, and sanitation challenges.
Eligibility:
- Must be <35 years as of Nov 21, 2025.
- Open to students, researchers, or early-career professionals.
Judging Criteria (100 points):
- Innovative aspect of research (30)
- Scientific quality (20)
- Potential Impact / Practical applications (20)
- Publications/patents/innovations (20)
- Clarity of submission (10)
Notes: Needs submission of research summary, max 2000 words.
Woman Leader Award in Water Sector
Description: Celebrates leadership of women driving policies, innovations, or impactful water/ wastewater management projects. Aims to promote inclusivity and gender diversity in the sector.
Eligibility:
- Open to women professionals, entrepreneurs, NGO leaders.
- At least 10 years of leadership contribution preferred.
Judging Criteria (100 points):
- Leadership role (30)
- Societal/Environmental Impact (20)
- Innovative ideas/actions implemented (20)
- Community/employee engagement (20)
- Advocacy, representation, mentoring role (10)
Water Warrior Award – Community Champion
Description: Recognizes local-level, low-cost, scalable solutions from grassroots individuals or small groups. Focuses on indigenous, community-driven water management practices or products.
Eligibility:
- Villagers, small communities, NGOs, or non-commercial innovators.
- Must show practical project implemented with results.
Judging Criteria (100 points):
- Innovation (25)
- Cost-effectiveness and accessibility (25)
- Social/community impact (20)
- Replicability (15)
- Sustainability (15)
Start-up of the Year – Water Tech
Description: For new-age start-ups (<10 years) innovating in smart water management, IoT, wastewater reuse, or AI-based solutions with commercial potential.
Eligibility:
- Registered WaterTech start-ups (India / global).
- Incorporation less than 10 years old.
Judging Criteria (100 points):
- Disruptiveness of product/service (30)
- Market adoption/trajectories (25)
- Scalability (20)
- Sustainability/environmental benefit (15)
- Team execution ability (10)
Water Warrior Award – Community Champion
Description: For individual grassroots champions who inspire community-driven water conservation or sanitation awareness campaigns.
Eligibility:
- Community leaders, activists, NGO volunteers.
- Project impact must be shown in measurable terms (water saved, awareness spread).
Judging Criteria (100 points):
- Social Impact (30)
- Sustainability of efforts (20)
- Scale of community outreach (25)
- Leadership quality (15)
- Replication potential (10)