Dietrich Maier

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Dietrich Maier (born February 2, 1944 in Heidelberg ; † October 26, 2015 ) was a German chemical engineer . He was head of the waterworks of the Stadtwerke Karlsruhe and has taught as a private lecturer and honorary professor at the University of Karlsruhe (TH / KIT) since 1983 .

Career

Born in Heidelberg, Maier grew up in Karlsruhe. He passed his Abitur in 1963 at the Kantgymnasium there and was awarded a prize for the best achievements in chemistry. He then started studying chemistry at the Technical University of Karlsruhe and, while still a student, became the personal assistant of the water chemist Heinrich Sontheimer . After graduating as a qualified chemist in 1968, he worked from January 1, 1969 to September 30, 1972 at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering at the University of Karlsruhe. During this time he prepared his doctorate for Dr. Ing., Which he graduated in 1971 with "summa cum laude". In 1981 he completed his habilitation there and received the Venia legendi in 1982 . In 1983 the Baden-Württemberg Minister of Science Engler awarded him the title of honorary professor.

From October 1, 1972, Maier was head of the operations and research laboratory of the Lake Constance Water Supply Association (BWV). On July 1, 1987, he moved to the Stadtwerke Karlsruhe, where he was head of the waterworks until August 1, 1990 and from August 1, 1990 to September 30, 2001, he was deputy managing director of the utilities (water, electricity, gas, district heating). Since 2001 he has been leading an independent research group in the Heinrich Sontheimer Laboratory for Water Research and Technology at the TZW Water Technology Center, Karlsruhe.

With his first publication as a student, an investigation into the removal of oil pollution from water bodies with binding agents, Maier implemented new scientific findings in such a way that they are still valid today in the field of water pollution control. The topics of water analysis , drinking water treatment and emergency water supply remained the focus of his scientific work. To this end, he submitted around 220 publications and gave around 200 lectures. By 2014 he had published 6 scientific books. Up to 2014, six issues appeared on the series "Wasser und Brunnen" ( ISSN  1867-8300 ) founded by him .

In addition to his professional and scientific work, Maier stood out through his voluntary work. In March 2004 he was the founder and until June 2009 chairman of the European Well Society , which is committed to the maintenance of old wells in terms of monument protection. Since June 2009 he has been its honorary president. He is also available as honorary president of the international working group for waterworks Bodensee-Rhein (AWBR) with many members from Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, France and Germany.

After the seaquake in the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004, Maier took over the leadership of an interdisciplinary group of helpers who restored the drinking water supply in Sri Lanka in order to prevent the spread of epidemics. He worked with the same goal in 2008 after the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe and in 2010 after the earthquake in Haiti. In 2013, after the typhoon in the Philippines, he organized the emergency water aid together with 2 aid organizations.

He was Vice President of the International Water Aid Organization (IWAO), which he founded , a member of the International Ozone Association (IOA), a member of the German Gas and Water Association and chairman of the emergency water supply project group as well as a member of the Water Chemical Society in the Society of German Chemists .

Honors

  • 1976: Scientific award for young talent from the specialist group on water chemistry, Kiel
  • 1981: Best Paper Award, Ozone World Congress, Washington
  • 1983: Werner von Siemens Medal , Essen
  • 2002: Honorary President of the Working Group on Waterworks Bodensee-Rhein (AWBR)
  • 2006: Prize of the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC GLOBAL EXPLORATION FUND
  • July 15, 2009: Cross of Merit on Ribbon of the Federal Republic of Germany
  • Dec. 16, 2009: Awarded the title Doctor of Science honoris causa from the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka (Dr. hc)
  • December 1, 2009: German Citizens' Prize 2009, category everyday heroes for the European Well Society

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personal data
SURNAME Maier, Dietrich
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German chemical engineer and university professor
DATE OF BIRTH February 2, 1944
PLACE OF BIRTH Heidelberg
DATE OF DEATH October 26, 2015