Aqua Pure Ventures: Private Placement Completed.

KELOWNA, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 16, 1998--Aqua Pure Ventures Inc. (the "Company")(VSE:AQE) wishes to announce that the private placement of 2,181,819 common shares at $0.55 per share, which was accepted by the Vancouver Stock Exchange on February 2, 1998 has been successfully completed. The aforementioned shares are subject to a one-year hold period expiring December 18, 1998.

Funds from the proceeds will be used for construction and engineering costs for the 53,000 USgal/day Aqua Pure Unit which has been leased to the Anadime Corporation for a sum of $20,000.00 per month for up to a five year period.

Installation, commissioning and testing at Anadime's Elk Point Facility is expected to be completed by May 1, 1998. The installation of the APV unit in the North Eastern Alberta tar sands/heavy oil sector will enable Aqua Pure to demonstrate the unique nature of their technology and increase the speed at which they are able to access further energy industry applications. The fact that Aqua Pure will have a working unit on a customer job site will signal to the rest of the industry that their technology has been accepted and they have the ability to successfully manufacture their product.

Aqua Pure Ventures Inc., headquartered in Kelowna, BC, is a supplier of industrial wastewater treatment systems. Aqua Pure has successfully processed landfill leachate, mine tailings pond water, secondary sewage and heavily polluted saltwater.

Per: Harold Lauman, President/Director -0-

Notes to Editors: The Vancouver Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content.

CONTACT: Aqua Pure Ventures Inc.

Harold Lauman, 250/762-8900 or 888/218-9999 (Toll Free)

250/762-4608 (FAX)

Website: http://www.aqua-pure.com

E-mail: [e-mail]