Lihero News | Lihe Technology Receives International Water Association (IWA) Project Innovation Award

On October 6, 2026, the biennial Project Innovation Awards (PIA) ceremony of the International Water Association (IWA) was held in Glasgow, UK. The Project Innovation Awards (PIA) comprise six major categories. The project "Nature-Based Solutions for Cyanobacterial Odor Mitigation - Application in the World's Largest Estuarine Drinking Water Reservoir," led by Professor Yang Min of the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with Shanghai Chengtou Water Group Co., Ltd and Lihero, won the Breakthroughs in Research and Development award.

Algal-derived taste and odor (T&O) is a major water quality challenge affecting lake- and reservoir-based drinking water sources worldwide. Due to the limitations of conventional drinking water treatment processes in addressing these compounds, water utilities often have limited options and remain largely reactive when responding to sudden odor events. Led by Professor Yang Min, a team used long-term in-situ studies to reveal that filamentous odor-producing algae favor moderate light at the bottom of shallow zones. They proposed a light-regulation strategy—modulating the underwater light field to shrink the algae's suitable habitat—and built an in-situ T&O control project at Qingcaosha Reservoir.

Lihero, in deep collaboration with Yang's group, developed the industry's first Automatic Odor-Producing Gene Detection Device (GWD-1500), enabling breakthrough online monitoring and intelligent analysis of odor genes. Integrated with an environment-driven odor prediction model and algal morphological diagnostics, these technologies together form a risk early-warning model that enabling the identification of potential T&O events 7–10 days in advance, shifting management from reactive response to preemptive intervention and supporting drinking water safety.

Automatic Odor-Producing Gene Detection Device

Lihero has also developed an Algal Image Intelligent Analyzer / Online Intelligent Algal Analyzer. Developed in accordance with HJ 1216-2021 (Water quality — Determination of phytoplankton — 0.1 ml chamber — Microscope counting method), these instruments build an AI algal identification model based on deep learning and an expert knowledge base. Through automated sampling and fully automatic microscopic imaging, they accurately obtain detailed data on algal genera, density, dominance, and diversity, enabling automated and intelligent algal genus analysis while eliminating the need for professional personnel.

Algal Image Intelligent Analyzer / Online Intelligent Algal Analyzer

The award-winning integrated algal suppression and T&O control technology system has been applied at multiple drinking water source areas across China, driving a full-chain breakthrough—from fundamental mechanism understanding and monitoring/early warning to engineering implementation—in green in-situ T&O control for large water sources.

Established in 2008, the IWA-PIA Awards recognize outstanding innovation in water management, research, and technology. They are held biennially and announced and presented during the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition.