06. Juli 2023 Ι Professor Hallvard Ødegaard has been awarded the esteemed William Dunbar Medal, which recognizes exceptional contributions in applied technical development within the water sector. Sponsored by IFAT Munich, the global leader in water management trade fairs, this biennial honor celebrates Professor Ødegaard’s remarkable achievements.

A highly respected figure in the water sector

Professor Hallvard Ødegaard, a highly respected figure in the water sector and professor emeritus, has made significant contributions to water engineering education and research in Norway. For this, he was awarded The Royal Norwegian St. Olav order in 2011. This is the highest civilian order conferred in Norway.

He is widely recognized as the inventor of the Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) and holds five international patents. His expertise and reputation extend globally, establishing him as one of Norway’s most renowned water professionals. Following his retirement from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in 2011, Professor Ødegaard remains actively involved in the field through his consulting company, ScandinavianEnvironmental Technology AS.

He focused his research on various aspects of water treatment

Throughout his career, Professor Ødegaard focused his research on various aspects of water treatment, including drinking water, wastewater, and industrial process water. His areas of expertise encompass particle separation, biofilm processes, disinfection, humic substance removal in drinking water treatment, and nutrient removal in water and wastewater treatment. He has written extensively, with over 500 publications to his name, including several books and more than 300 internationally published refereed papers.

Furthermore, Professor Ødegaard played an active role in professional associations, serving as a member of the EWA Council in the period 1984-1991 and as Vice President and Chairman of the Technical and Scientific Committee. He has made significant contributions to water treatment, particularly in Norway, where he helped establish a tradition in water and wastewater treatment. In recognition of his longlasting contributions to the International Water Association (IWA), Professor Ødegaard was appointed as a Distinguished Fellow of IWA in 2014 and as an Honorary Member of IWA in 2016.

Given his extensive achievements and dedication, Professor Ødegaard is a well-deserved recipient of this year’s Dunbar Medal. This prestigious award recognizes his significant contributions to the field of water treatment, affirming his status as a respected and influential figure in the industry.

Professor Ødegaard will deliver a keynote speech, offering valuable insights in his area of expertise.

The Dunbar Medal ceremony, recognizing Professor Hallvard Ødegaard as this year’s awardee, will take place in Vienna on October 19th, 2023, at the end of the first day of the ÖWAV/EWA Joint Conference:
Water Resources subject to Climate Change Challenges in managing Extremes. During the ceremony, Professor Ødegaard will deliver a keynote speech, offering valuable insights in his area of expertise.