By Sia Ling Xin

THE prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize has finally been bagged by an Asian body, after being won by recipients from the Netherlands and Canada previously.

China's Yellow River Conservancy Commission (YRCC), set up by China's central government in 1999, is being feted this year for its use of innovative water solutions to protect 90 million people living near the Yellow River from floods and drought.

It will be given a $300,000 cash prize, certificate and gold medallion, sponsored by Singapore Millennium Foundation, by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew in June.

Canadian researcher Andrew Benedek received the prize in 2008 - its inaugural year - for pioneering low-pressure membranes, while the Netherlands' Professor Gatze Lettinga won last year for developing anaerobic technology to treat used water.

The Yellow River makes up just 2 per cent of China's water-catchment area, but supplies water to 12 per cent of its population, and 15 per cent of its agricultural land. The YRCC built reservoirs, floodforecasting systems and dykes to ensure a steady water supply and stem the threat of floods.

Since then, the river has been flowing smoothly - a "remarkable achievement with significant ecological and other benefits", said water expert Wouter Lincklaen Arriens of the Asian Development Bank.

The prize nominating committee's chairman, Dr Tan Gee Paw, said: "In rejuvenating the Yellow River and managing floods, YRCC has brought about widespread and sustainable social, economic and environmental benefits to over 100 million people."

YRCC commissioner Li Guoying said it is "deeply honoured" to win the prize. It hopes to use the cash to learn about water solutions from others.

lingxin@sph.com.sg

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