MILWAUKEE, WI, Dec. 12, 2014 – The Water Council is honored to announce it has been chosen to receive a Wells Fargo Clean Technology and Innovation grant. The Clean Technology and Innovation program supports technology advancements for a clean energy future. The $100,000 award will fund the creation of the Water Research Pilot Project, a program supporting the progression of new water technologies from the lab to demonstration sites for practical application.
“The program follows The Water Council’s new Leadership Strategic Vision. 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,” said Dean Amhaus, Water Council president and CEO, in reference to the Water Research Pilot Project.
The Pilot Program 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 Milwaukee before taking steps towards macro deployment across the world.
“Wells Fargo recognizes that the health of our environment is critical to fostering more sustainable communities today and for years to come,” said Ashley Grosh, head of Wells Fargo Environmental Affairs Clean Technology program. “We’re pleased to announce The Water Council as a recipient of Wells Fargo’s environmental grant program to help provide long-term solutions to the world’s greatest environmental challenges.”
The Pilot Program is a catalyst for young companies and professionals who are scalable, cost effective, and have the potential to make true social and environmental impacts Stonehouse Water Technologies has been chosen as the first participant of the Pilot Program 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 Clean Technology and Innovation Grant will support The Water Council in growing the Pilot Program to accommodate Water POD and future participants in the program with forward thinking, innovative water solutions.
The Water Council, the only organization of its kind in the United States, 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 dollar market and accounts for four 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. The Water Council is capturing the attention of the world and transforming the Milwaukee region into a World Water Hub for freshwater research, economic development and education. For more information, visit www.thewatercouncil.com or contact us by phone at 414.988.8750.
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