After decades of research and teaching, McCarty said he is hopeful that despite climbing global populations, countries can ensure safe water supplies for their people. The issue is largely one of political will and lack of dedication to solving the problem, he added.

"I think we can do much to help if we put a priority on this," McCarty said. "There are inexpensive techniques for cleaning water and a lot of effort has been put into developing them. Part of the need is in education in the use of the techniques and part of it is a willingness in the rest of us who have so much to help those who don't."

The Stockholm Water Foundation was established in 1990 to encourage research and development of the world's water environment by awarding the Stockholm Water Prize. The foundation's activities are administered by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI)

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Contact: Mark Shwartz
mshwartz@stanford.edu
650-723-9296
Stanford University
22-Mar-2007