Eawag
| Federal universities and research institutes | |
|---|---|
|
|
|
Ordinary budget 2019 (CHF million) |
|
|
2,616 |
|
|
|
|
| Colleges |
|
|
|
|
| Research institutes |
|
The Eawag (formerly EAWAG , Swiss Federal Institute for Water Supply , Wastewater Treatment and Water Protection ; English Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology ) is a research institute of the ETH Domain , based in Dübendorf in Zurich and in chestnut tree in Lucerne .
The employees (around 300 in Dübendorf, around 80 in Kastanienbaum) conduct research , teaching and consulting in the water sector with the aim of promoting the sustainable use of water resources and water infrastructures and reconciling ecological, economic and social interests in the waters . Eawag thus acts as a bridge between research and practice. Eawag was founded in 1936 as an advice center for wastewater treatment and drinking water supply at ETH Zurich . Eawag relies on interdisciplinarity with three main research areas: water for health and well-being, water for the functioning of ecosystems and strategies in the event of conflicts of use. For example, with SODIS (SOlar DISinfection), an impressively simple method for treating drinking water in developing countries was developed. Another international research topic is the arsenic problem in Bangladesh .
history
The forerunner organization was founded in 1936 as the ETH Zurich advisory center for wastewater treatment and drinking water supply. In 1946 it became the "Federal Institute for Water Supply, Wastewater Treatment and Water Protection" (Eawag), which increasingly committed itself to holistic water protection. With the fundamentals and procedures researched in the following years, Eawag made a decisive contribution to water protection in Switzerland. In 1968 the International Reference Center for Waste Disposal (IRCWD) of the WHO emerged , from which the Department of Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries (Sandec) emerged. In 1970 Eawag became an annex facility to ETH Zurich and in 1993 it became an independent water research institute of the ETH Domain. In 2004 the FIBER fisheries advice center was founded and in 2008 the Water Agenda 21 and the Ecotox Center (Swiss Center for Applied Ecotoxicology Eawag-EPFL). In order to promote the exchange between research and practice, the two competence centers CEEB (Center for Ecology, Evolution and Biogeochemistry) and CCDW (Competence Center Drinking Water) were established in 2010. Eawag's headquarters are in Dübendorf near Zurich, where the Forum Chriesbach main building, which has won several environmental awards , was opened in 2006 . Eawag has been operating a research laboratory in Kastanienbaum near Lucerne since 1960. The research institute of that time has transformed into an internationally oriented water research institute. The combination of research, teaching and consulting as well as the combination of natural, engineering and social sciences form the basis of Eawag today.
Eawag story
- 1936 Foundation of the ETH Zurich advisory center for wastewater treatment and drinking water supply.
- 1946 The counseling center is converted into an institute affiliated with ETH Zurich called Eawag (Federal Institute for Water Supply, Sewage Treatment and Water Protection).
- 1960 Takeover of the hydrobiological laboratory in Kastanienbaum from the Natural Research Society Lucerne.
- 1968 Establishment of the WHO Reference Center for Waste Disposal (International Reference Center for Waste Disposal), from which the current Department for Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries, Sandec (Sanitation in Developing Countries), emerged.
- 1970 Eawag becomes an annex facility to ETH Zurich and moves to Dübendorf.
- 1993 Eawag becomes an independent water research institute in the ETH domain.
- 2004 Founding of the FIBER fisheries advice center at Eawag.
- 2006 Opening of the new main Eawag building, Forum Chriesbach, in Dübendorf.
- 2008 Foundation of the Ecotox Center and the Water Agenda 21 with an office at Eawag.
- 2010 The competence centers CEEB (Center for Ecology, Evolution and Biogeochemistry) and CCDW (Competence Center Drinking Water) are established.
Directors of Eawag
- 1946–1952: Ulrich Arnold Corti
- 1952–1970: Otto Jaag
- 1970–1992: Werner Stumm
- 1992-2004: Alexander JB Zehnder
- 2004–2007: Ulrich Bundi (ad interim)
- since 2007: Janet Hering
Structure and tasks
Eawag is a research institute in the ETH Domain . The ETH Domain includes the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology in Zurich ( ETH Zurich ) and Lausanne ( EPFL ) as well as three other research institutes, the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), the Federal Research Institute for Forests, Snow and Landscape (WSL) and the Federal Materials Testing Institute - and research institute ( Empa ). Over 500 employees from around 40 nations work at the Dübendorf near Zurich and Kastanienbaum near Lucerne locations. 23 people have a professorship at a university, 14 of which are assistant and titular professors. Eawag is headed by a director and supported by other members of the executive board. The director of Eawag is Janet Hering. The deputy director is Rik Eggen. The Eawag Advisory Commission, made up of members from industry, politics, associations, federal offices and NGOs, provides advice to the management. Research, teaching and further training as well as advice and knowledge transfer are the main tasks of Eawag.
Departments
The researchers from the various scientific disciplines work together in twelve research departments on practical solutions to problems in the water sector:
- Surface water (surf) - researches processes of aquatic systems
- Aquatic Ecology (Eco) - explores life in water and encompasses various disciplines of ecology and evolutionary biology
- Fish Ecology and Evolution (Fishec) - studies the way of life, evolution and biodiversity of aquatic organisms, primarily fish
- Environmental Chemistry (Uchem) - researches the effect of pollutants in water and the possibilities of reduction measures to improve water quality
- Environmental Microbiology (Umik) - deals with microbial life and activities in surface and groundwater, in drinking water and in technical systems such as sewage or drinking water treatment plants
- Environmental toxicology (Utox) - aims to identify and understand the effects of chemicals on the aquatic environment
- Water resources and drinking water (S&T) - researches physical and chemical processes in water with the aim of ensuring the quality and quantity of drinking water in the long term
- Process engineering (Eng) - deals with current and future problems of wastewater purification and drinking water treatment as well as the protection of water resources and resource recycling
- Urban water management (SWW) - looks for sustainable concepts for water and nutrient cycles in settlements
- Settlement hygiene and water for development (Sandec) - contributes to improving water supply and wastewater management in developing countries by strengthening local skills
- Systems Analysis and Modeling (Siam) - develops models and techniques to understand and predict processes that affect water and other natural resources
- Environmental Social Sciences (ESS) - researches environmentally relevant social processes with the inclusion of various social science disciplines.
research
As a water research institute, Eawag sets the following priorities in its research strategy:
- Water for health and well-being
A safe drinking water supply and sewage disposal are necessary to maintain human wellbeing. The aim of the research projects is to develop the best strategic and technological approaches in order to cope with future challenges with increasing pollution, population growth and climate change.
- Water for the functioning of ecosystems
Increasing pressure from civilization has a negative impact on water and bodies of water. Eawag develops strategies and measures to ensure the sustainable functioning of aquatic ecosystems and to be able to maintain the ecosystem services of the waters.
- Strategies in case of conflicts of use
The demands made by humans on the resource water and the harmful effects of its interference in the aquatic ecosystems lead to conflicts of use. The researchers at Eawag develop scientifically sound solutions, e.g. B. for usage concerns and protection requirements in energy production.
Eawag leads and participates in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary projects in order to combine basic research with concrete problem solving in practice. Together with external partners and various Eawag departments, research initiatives are created that approach projects from a holistic perspective.
Teaching
Eawag supports ETHZ , EPFL , universities and technical colleges in the training of students and doctoral candidates in the fields of natural, engineering and social sciences. Numerous master's and doctoral students from Germany and abroad are supported in projects in the water sector every year. In addition, apprentices are trained in the laboratory, commercial and IT areas. Eawag regularly offers advanced training courses (practice-oriented Eawag courses, PEAK) for experts from water management, administration and science. The courses are based on current research and experience and serve the exchange of knowledge and experience between research and practice. In the area of continuing education, six research grants are awarded annually to students or doctoral candidates from developing countries as part of the Eawag Partnership Program for Developing Countries (EPP).
consultation
Research results are put into practice through the promotion of advice and the transfer of knowledge and technology. Eawag fulfills various advisory mandates at home and abroad, for example for the federal government, cantons and non-governmental organizations . Eawag specialists are represented as experts in numerous national and international bodies. Various specialist advisory centers are located at the water research institute:
- The Swiss Center for Applied Ecotoxicology Eawag-EPFL (Ecotox Center), which develops and communicates the scientific principles and methods to identify, assess and minimize the risks of chemicals.
- The fishing advice center (FIBER), an information and training center for anglers, professional fishermen, interested parties and specialists for the topics of fish, water bodies and fishery management.
- The Water Agenda 21, an association that supports various actors in the development of a water management system based on the principles of sustainable development. It is supported by the cantonal and Swiss federal authorities as well as by NGOs and professional associations in the water sector.
- SODIS (SOlar Water DISinfection), a project that advocates access to clean drinking water in developing countries. The SODIS method is a simple procedure for disinfecting drinking water. The polluted water is filled into glass or PET bottles and pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and parasites are removed using UV radiation .
Awards
The Eawag researchers have received national and international awards for their achievements. The most important awards:
- 2015: Distinguished Women in Chemistry and membership of the National Academy of Engineering to Janet Hering
- 2015: Theodosius Dobzhansky Prize for Catherine Wagner
- 2014: Huber Technology Prize "Future Water" to Alexandra Fumasoli
- 2013: Südwestmetall sponsorship award for Philip Leifeld
- 2012: Recognition award in the "Re-Invent the Toilet" competition of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation : Dr. Tove Larsen, et al.
- 2012: Prize of the Dr. JE 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 JB Zehnder
- 2009: Vietnamese Medal of Honor for outstanding achievements in teaching and professional training in Vietnam for Michael Berg, Walter Giger , Antoine Morel and Roland Schertenleib
- 2008: Credit Suisse Award for Best Teaching for Willi Gujer
- 2008: Transdisciplinary Award for the Novaquatis project for Tove Larsen and Judit Lienert
- 2007: Watt d'Or for the energy-efficient Eawag Forum Chriesbach building
- 2006: Muehlheim 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 (as well as Bruno Messerli and Hans Oeschger)
In 1980 the “Otto Jaag Water Protection Prize” fund was set up 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 received this award.
literature
- Andri Bryner, Matthias Nast: Streiflichter on Eawag , April 2011, ( PDF ).
- Markus Boller: EAWAG - Federal Institute for Water Supply, Wastewater Treatment and Water Protection: Research in the Service of Water , GWA magazine, March 4, 2005, pp. 191–212 ( reference view ).
- Ueli Bundi: Water protection in Switzerland: can the goals be achieved? Final report of the study "Water Protection 2000" , Bern: Haupt, 1981, ISBN 3-258-03134-7 .
- David Gugerli: We don't want to fish in murky waters! Water protection as a convergence of federal politics, expert knowledge and sport fishing (1950–72) , article from the journal: Schweizer Ingenieur und Architekt, vol .: 118, No. 13, 2000, pages 9–15, ISSN 0251-0960 .
Web links
- Official website
- Website Forum Chriesbach
- FIBER fisheries advice center website
- Website Water Agenda 21
Individual evidence
- ↑ Financial report of the EHT Council on the ETH Domain 2019 , on ethrat.ch
- ^ EAWAG: Locations and contact
- ^ EAWAG: history
- ↑ Otto Jaag (1900–1978) / Brief Portraits / Digital Library / Resources / Home - ETH Library. Retrieved August 16, 2020 .
- ^ State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI: The ETH Domain. Retrieved August 16, 2020 .
- ↑ Ordinance of the ETH Board on the Research Institutes of the ETH Domain , Art. 11 (PDF)
- ↑ Mission and strategy. Eawag, accessed on August 16, 2020 .
- ↑ Awards. Eawag, accessed on August 16, 2020 .