WaterHealth International Wins 'Toshiba Green Innovation Award'

IRVINE, Calif., (April 20, 2007) – WaterHealth International, Inc., a Lake Forest-based company that provides technologies and services to address waterborne diseases in the disadvantaged rural areas of developing nations, won the "Toshiba Green Innovation Award" this week at a luncheon held in conjunction with the World Innovation Forum in Newport Beach.

The inaugural award was created by Toshiba America, Inc. and Orange County Innovation (OCI) to recognize pioneering Orange County-based companies, institutions and organizations for their innovative commitment to the environment.

WaterHealth’s technology features "UV Waterworks," which disinfects drinking water cost-effectively and in an environmentally-friendly way through ultraviolet radiation, eliminating the need for potentially hazardous chemicals and reducing the amount of energy used by boiling water – the most common current practice -- by a factor of 6,000. WaterHealth also coordinates in-country financial services to assist communities in purchasing the systems.

"We want to thank Toshiba America, Inc. and OCI for this wonderful recognition of WaterHealth," said Dave Jones, managing partner of SAIL Partners, an Orange County-based clean-tech venture capitalist firm whose investments include WaterHealth. "The award is a welcome acknowledgement that you can help people and the environment through innovation and prosper."

• Aquaone Technologies, a Westminster-based company that develops water valves that automatically shut off in the event of a leaky toilet or hose burst;
• Earthanol, Inc., a Newport Beach-based firm focused on producing renewable transportation fuel from waste feedstocks;
• Nila, Inc., a firm with Orange County offices that designs and builds environmentally sustainable LED lighting systems for the film and TV industries;
• Greenscanner.net, a mobile phone system that helps consumers engage in environmentally preferable purchasing in their everyday transactions created by the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology at the University of California, Irvine;
• SAIL Venture Partners, a national clean-tech venture capital firm headquartered in Costa Mesa.

"We congratulate the finalists of the Toshiba Green Innovation Award for their tremendous vision and effort in protecting our environment," said Craig Hershberg, director, Environmental Affairs, Toshiba America, Inc. "Their enthusiasm and imagination reaffirms Toshiba’s belief that innovation can help solve many of the environmental challenges facing society today."

A distinguished body of professionals representing business, academia, government and environmental organizations served as judges for the award, including:

• Ardelle St. George, Chairperson of the Board, OC Innovation and name partner with St. George & Carnegie
• Wallace Walrod, Vice President, Orange County Business Council
• Gary Augusta, Executive Director, OCTANe
• Frank Peters, Chairman, TechCoast Angels
• Walter Schindler, Founder and Managing Partner, SAIL Venture Partners
• Richard Montevideo, Partner and Chair of the Environmental Law Practice Group, Rutan & Tucker
• Goran Matijasevic, Director of Research and Development, UCI and Vice-Chair, OC Innovation
• Raman Unnikrishnan, Dean of Engineering and Computer Science, Cal State Fullerton
• Dawn Sandie, Program Coordinator, Chapman University
• Peter Banwell, Marketing Team Lead, ENERGY STAR programs, Environmental Protection Agency
• Grace Adams, Executive Director, Bolsa Chica Conservancy
• Gretchen Heffler, Director of Development, Ducks Unlimited
• Craig Hershberg, Director, Environmental Affairs, Toshiba America, Inc.

"We wish to thank all the judges for their time and interest in this worthwhile endeavor and in making people aware of the innovative thinking happening in Orange County," said Ardelle St. George, chairperson of the board, OC Innovation.

About Orange County Innovation
Orange County Innovation (OCI) is an active network of business, service and academic leaders dedicated to promoting global awareness of Orange County as a powerhouse of innovation. It celebrates the significant growth of technology, science, entertainment, arts and industry in Orange County and promotes the advancement of these industries. Learn more at www.ocinnovation.org.

About Toshiba Corporation
Toshiba is one of the world’s leading electronics firms. It is a diversified manufacturer of advanced electronic and electrical products spanning information and communications equipment and systems, digital consumer products, semiconductors and other electronic devices and components, power systems, industrial and social infrastructure systems and home appliances. For more information, visit www.toshiba.com.