IWW Water Research Institute
IWW Water Research Institute gGmbH is one of Germany’s leading institutes for research, consultancy and professional development in the field of water. IWW undertakes projects ranging from regional contexts to Europe-wide research collaborations, in which we also perform overarching coordination tasks. Our colloquia, conferences and training courses offer excellent opportunities to learn about the latest research findings and new knowledge and to apply them in practice. Thanks to our network and participation in various committees, we are always up to date, possess a high level of expertise in the field of water and offer well-founded, state-of-the-art solutions.
Our EU Research Projects
The B-WaterSmart project accelerates the transformation to water-smart economies and societies in coastal Europe and beyond by focusing on sustainable and cost-effective solutions for the optimal use of water, using smart technologies and circular economy approaches.
Background & Objectives
How can water availability be increased in water-scarce regions? How can the concept of a circular economy be embedded within the water sector? What smart, digital solutions can be deployed to help create a water-smart economy and society?
The answers to these questions are based on case studies that examine specific challenges in six European cities and regions. Water utilities from Alicante in Spain, Bodø in Norway, Flanders in Belgium, Lisbon in Portugal, East Frisia in Germany and Venice in Italy are involved as living laboratories. Together with research partners and local technology providers, they are developing and demonstrating solutions to the above-mentioned questions.
Project website: https://b-watersmart.eu/
Project partners
Adelphi, ADENE, AdTA, Aguas de Alicante, Aquafin, baseform, Bodø Kommune, CETAQUA, CML, De Watergroep, Depuracque, DMK, ENG, EnviroChemie, ETRA, EURECAT, Hydrotech, ICCS, ICS-UL, IWW, Krüger Kaldnes, KWR, LNEC, Mechelen, Nordkontakt, NTNU, OOWV, Proefstation, SINTEF, TECHNI, Turbulent, UNED, Veritas, VITO, Water Europe
Funding
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 869171.
Titled “A revolutionary approach to maximising the reuse of process water and resource recovery through a smart, circular and integrated solution”, the R3VOLUTION project is revolutionising industrial water management in the EU by developing solutions for different industry cases.
Background & Objectives
The R3VOLUTION project addresses these challenges by developing innovative, economically viable solutions for industrial water, solvent and energy recovery. Over four years, the project demonstrates membrane-based treatment systems combined with waste heat utilisation and a digital process assistant across four pilot sites in the petrochemical, bio-based chemical, steel, and pulp and paper industries.
Project website: https://r3volution.eu/
Project partners
Funding
Funded by the European Union under grant agreement No. 101138245.
The main objective of the CIRSEAU project is to establish a collaborative water ecosystem that generates strong synergies between various stakeholders in the circular water economy.
Background & Objectives
The previous CIRSEAU cluster analysed results from 35 demonstration sites to foster synergies and support a more circular European water ecosystem. Its activities addressed key challenges such as reducing water consumption, increasing efficiency, recovering valuable resources, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening climate resilience, complemented by joint briefings and public outreach.
Now funded as a 36‑month Coordination and Support Action (CSA) by the European Research Executive Agency, CIRSEAU focuses on improving market uptake, collaboration and knowledge exchange. Through training, stakeholder engagement and standardisation efforts, the project tackles social and regulatory barriers and develops a roadmap for sustainable resource and energy management, supporting the transition to a circular, climate‑neutral water economy by 2050.
Project website: https://cirseau.eu/
Funding
Funded by the European Union under grant agreement No. 101135403.
The aim of the Upwater project is to understand groundwater pollution in order to protect and improve water quality by providing tools and strategies to implement safe and contaminant-free recharge water into aquifers.
Background & Objectives
The main objective of the project is to improve understanding of the sources and pathways of pollution affecting groundwater quality, in order to develop effective preventive measures at source and thus protect groundwater bodies in the EU. A second objective is to reduce the ingress of pollutants into the aquifer through the use of innovative, bio-based solutions. To achieve this, interim objectives have been set to develop and validate monitoring and analytical methods, source attribution and hydrogeological modelling, risk assessment and, finally, collaborative decision-making for future groundwater management.
Project website: https://www.upwater.eu/
Project partners
Aarhus University, BR, CSIC, EYDAP, FNCA, Future City, INERIS, IWW, NTUA, TARH, Universitat de Barcelona
Funding
Funded by the European Union under grant agreement No. 101081807.
This is only a very small selection of our research projects. More national and international projects can be found on our German website: https://iww-wasserforschung.de/forschungsprojekte/
Our departments
Our business departments offer comprehensive expertise across the entire water sector, drawing on 40 years of experience, gained both in Germany and internationally. We are active involved in research, always staying ahead of latest technologies and innovative solutions. Furthermore, we frequently engage in interdisciplinary collaboration to deliver the best outcomes.
Management & Research Coordination
Since April 2023, the IWW Institute for Water Research gGmbH is headed by Dr. Kristina Baillot. A graduate in industrial engineering, she has been working for IWW in various roles for over 10 years. She is supported in the management of the institute by a Scientific Board. She is also responsible for the Research Coordination and therefore is the central internal point of contact for all enquiries relating to the acquisition and implementation of research projects, ranging from basic research to applied research.
Dr. Kristina Baillot
Applied Microbiology
The Applied Microbiology division addresses microbiological and ecological issues in water, considering the complex interrelationships between microorganisms, water quality, surfaces and environmental conditions. This includes natural and engineered water systems (groundwater, surface water, drinking water, process water, service water, cooling water and wastewater).
Dr. Bernd Bendinger
Water Economics & Mangement
Our civil and environmental engineers work alongside our economists to provide consultancy and conduct research specifically at the technical-economic interface of water-related issues. We frequently tackle our projects in an interdisciplinary manner, collaborating with experts from other IWW departments or external partners, thereby integrating the diverse perspectives of the various specialist fields.
Martin Offermann
Deputy Head of Department
+49 208 40303-402
m.offermann@iww-online.de
Water Resources Management
Climate change, conflicts over water use, trace substances and nitrate. The challenges facing public water supply are greater now than ever before. The Water Resources Management department conducts targeted research and provides science-based advice on these and other future-oriented topics. The focus is always on the holistic and sustainable management of water as a resource.
Dr. Tim aus der Beek
Head of Department
+49 208 40303-234
t.ausderbeek@iww-online.de
Water Technology
Our Water Technology department offers targeted technical consultancy and development, pilot-scale testing, and process engineering analysis. We have a wide range of test and pilot plants at our disposal and possess many years of experience with all water treatment processes and their combination. We are also experts in corrosion.
Volkmar Keuter
Water Analytics
We investigate the chemical composition of water in environmental, industrial and drinking water. Our aim is to detect substances that are often present only in trace amounts but are crucial for environmental quality, public health and technical processes, including PFAS, pharmaceutical residues, pesticides, and numerous other organic and inorganic substances. We adapt existing methods or develop new analytical techniques to deliver precise, reliable and research-relevant results. This enables us to respond quickly to new developments and address current challenges in the water sector with a sound scientific basis.
Hannes Schlottmann
Research Associate
+49 208 40303-385
h.schlottmann@iww-online.de
Our networks
The IWW Institute for Water Research gGmbH is an affiliated institute of the University of Duisburg-Essen and a member of the DVGW Institute Network. As a member of the Johannes Rau Research Association, IWW receives funding from the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. The institute also is part of a global network of academic institutions, industrial R&D organisations, technology firms, standards bodies, associations and public authorities. At European level, IWW is active in numerous research networks, including the Aqua Research Collaboration, the NORMAN network and Water Europe.