Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology

Ordentl. Budget 2013 ( CHF million)

ETH Domain

2'271

  • ETH Zurich
  • EPFL

1'118 557

  • PSI
  • WSL
  • Empa
  • Eawag

286 51 92 54

Eawag (formerly. EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute for Water Resources and Water Pollution Control; eng "Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology" ) is a Research Institute of the ETH Domain, headquartered in Dübendorf near Zurich and in chestnut tree near Lucerne.

The employees of Eawag conduct research, teaching and consulting in the water sector, with the aim to promote sustainable use of water resources and water infrastructure as well as to bring environmental, economic and social interests of water and aquatic ecosystems. Eawag will thus acting as a bridge between research and practice. Eawag was founded in 1936 as a counseling center for wastewater treatment and drinking water supply of the ETH Zurich. Eawag is an interdisciplinary approach with three main research areas: water for health and welfare, water for the functioning of ecosystems and strategies for land use conflicts. For example, was developed with SODIS ( SOlar Disinfection) a strikingly simple method for drinking water treatment in developing countries. Another international research theme is the arsenic problem in Bangladesh.

  • 2.1 departments
  • 2.2 Research
  • 2.3 teaching
  • 2.4 advice

History

Eawag was founded in 1936 as an advisory body of the ETH Zurich for wastewater treatment and drinking water supply. In 1946 it became the " Swiss Federal Institute for Water Resources and Water Pollution Control " ( Eawag ), which increasingly undertook a holistic water protection. The explored in the following years, grounds and procedures Eawag coined the Water Protection in Switzerland significantly. In 1968, the International Reference Centre for Waste Disposal ( IRCWD ) WHO, Eawag was hervorging.1970 from the Department of Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries (Sandec ) to Annex Institute of ETH Zurich and 1993 for independent water research institute of the ETH Domain. 2004, the Fisheries Advisory Office FIBER and 2008 Water Agenda 21 and welcomed the establishment ( Swiss Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology, Eawag - EPFL) was founded. In order to promote the exchange between research and practice, 2010, the two centers of excellence have been established CEEB (Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Biogeochemistry ) and CCDW ( center of excellence drinking water) to life. The Eawag in Dübendorf near Zurich headquarters is where the multi- award-winning environmental main building forum Chriesbach opened in 2006. Since 1960, Eawag operates a research laboratory in chestnut tree near Lucerne. The Research Institute of yesteryear has given way to an internationally focused water research institute. Linking research, teaching and consulting as well as the combination of science, engineering, and social sciences today form the basis of Eawag.

Eawag's history at a glance

Directors of Eawag

Structure and tasks

Eawag is a research institute of the ETH Domain. For ETH domain include the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich ) and in Lausanne (EPFL ) and three other research institutions, the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL ) and the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing - and research (Empa ). Over 500 employees from 40 nations working at the Dübendorf near Zurich and chestnut tree near Lucerne. 23 people have a professorship at a university, including 14 assistant and Titularprofessuren. Eawag is headed by a Director or Director and supported by other Directorate members. The Director of Eawag is Prof. Dr. Janet Hering. The Deputy Director is Prof. Dr. Rik Eggen. The Consultative Commission Eawag consisting of members from industry, government, associations, federal agencies and NGO's is the management consultant. Research, teaching and training as well as consulting and knowledge transfer are the main tasks of Eawag.

Departments

But the researchers from different scientific disciplines working in twelve research departments together on practical solutions to problems in the water sector:

  • Surface waters ( Surf) - explores processes of aquatic systems
  • Aquatic Ecology (Eco) - explores life in the water and is comprised of various disciplines of ecology and evolutionary biology
  • Fish Ecology and Evolution ( Fishec ) - examines the life, evolution and biodiversity of aquatic organisms, primarily fish
  • Environmental Chemistry ( Uchem ) - explores the effect of pollutants in the aquatic environment and the possibilities of reduction measures for improving water quality
  • Environmental Microbiology ( Umik ) - deals with microbial life and activities in surface and ground water, drinking water and in technical systems such as sewage or water treatment plants
  • Environmental Toxicology ( Utox ) - has to understand the aim of identifying the effects of chemicals on the aquatic environment and
  • Water Resources and Drinking Water ( S & T) - explores physical and chemical processes in the aquatic environment with the aim to ensure the quality and quantity of drinking water in the long term
  • Process Engineering ( Eng) - deals with current and future problems of urban water treatment and the protection of water resources and the resource recycling
  • Urban Water Management ( SWW ) - searches for sustainable concepts for water and nutrient cycles in settlements
  • Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries (Sandec ) - carries through strengthening local skills to improve water supply and wastewater management in developing countries
  • System Analysis and Modelling (Siam ) - developed models and techniques to understand and predict processes that pertain to water and other natural resources
  • Social Science (ESS ) - explores environmentally relevant social processes with the involvement of various social science disciplines.

Research

Eawag as Water Research Institute is its research strategy, the following priorities:

  • Water for the health and well-being

A safe drinking water supply and sanitation are necessary to preserve the welfare of the people. The aim of the research projects is to develop the best strategic and technological approaches to cope with future challenges with increasing exposure to pollution, population growth and climate change.

  • Water for the functioning of ecosystems

Increasing pressure of civilization affects the water and the aquatic environment negatively. Eawag is developing strategies and measures to ensure sustainable functioning of aquatic ecosystems and to preserve the ecosystem services of the waters.

  • Strategies for land use conflicts

The demands of the people to the water resources and the adverse impact of its interventions in the aquatic ecosystems lead to land use conflicts. The at Eawag researchers develop science-based solutions, such as in use concerns and protection requirements in energy production.

Eawag directs and participates in inter-and transdisciplinary projects to combine basic research with practical solutions to problems in practice. Together with external partners and various departments Eawag arise research initiatives that address projects from a holistic perspective.

Teaching

Eawag support ETHZ, EPFL, universities and colleges in the training of students and doctoral students in the natural sciences, engineering and social sciences. Numerous master students and doctoral students from home and abroad are looked after each year in projects in the water sector. It learners are also trained in the laboratory, commercial and computer science area. For experts from the water, administration and science, Eawag offers regular training courses ( practice oriented Eawag courses, PEAK ). The courses are based on current research and experience and serve the knowledge and experience between research and practice. In the field of education are under the Partnership Programme for Developing Countries ( Eawag Partnership Program for Developing Countries, EPP ) awarded annually six research grants to students or graduate students from developing countries.

Advice

Research findings will be implemented through the promotion of counseling and knowledge and technology transfer in practice. Eawag fulfills various consulting assignments at home and abroad, such as for federal, cantonal and NGOs. Eawag experts are represented as experts in numerous national and international committees. On the Water Research Institute various specialist advisory centers are located:

  • The Swiss Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology, Eawag - EPFL ( Oekotoxzentrum ), which develops scientific principles and methods, and conveys to detect, assess and minimize risks of chemicals.
  • The Fisheries Advisory Office ( FIBER ), an information and training center for anglers, commercial fishermen, interested parties and specialists for topics fish, waters and fisheries management.
  • The Water Agenda 21, an association of the different actors in the development of water management, which is based on the principles of sustainable development supported. It is supported by the Swiss cantonal and federal authorities as well as NGOs and trade associations in the field of water.
  • SODIS ( Solar Water Disinfection ), a project that is committed to access to safe drinking water in developing countries. The SODIS method is a simple method for the disinfection of drinking water. The polluted water is filled into glass or PET bottles and removed by the UV radiation from pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and parasites.

Awards

The Eawag researchers have received national and international awards for their achievements. The main awards:

  • 2013: Southwest Metal Award for Philip Leifeld
  • 2012: Recognition Award in competition " Re -Invent the Toilet " from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation: Dr. Tove Larsen et al.
  • 2012: Prize of the Foundation Dr. J. E. Brandenberger for Martin Wegelin
  • 2011: IWA Development Solutions Award for Sandec
  • 2010: Muelheim Water Award for Thomas Egli
  • 2010: Federal Cross of Merit for Alexander J. B. Zehnder
  • 2009: Vietnamese Medal of Honor for outstanding contributions to education and training in Vietnam for Michael Berg, Walter Giger, Antoine Morel and Roland Schertenleib
  • 2008: Credit Suisse Award for Best Teaching for Willi Gujer
  • 2008: Transdisziplinarity Award for the project Novaquatis for Tove Larsen and Judit Lienert
  • 2007: Watt d'Or for energy-efficient building Eawag Forum Chriesbach
  • 2006: Muehl Home Water Award for Marc Böhler
  • 2004: Energy Globe Award for SODIS
  • 1999: Stockholm Water Prize for Werner Stumm
  • 1990: Marcel Benoist Prize for Werner Stumm ( and Bruno Messerli and Hans Oeschger )

1980, the fund " Otto Jaag Water Protection Award " was established to honor dissertations and master's theses at the ETH Zurich in the field of water protection and Hydrology. Numerous young Eawag researchers have since been able to accept this award.

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