IWW Institute for Water Research
The IWW Institute for Water Research 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 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
Norwegian University of Science and Technology, SINTEF, Cetaqua Water Technology Centre, KWR Water Research Institute, LNEC, Aguas de Alicante (AMAEM), Eurecat, National Distance Education, University (UNED), Veritas Engineering, OOWV, Institute of Social, Sciences of the University of Lisbon (ICS-UL), ICCS, EnviroChemie, DMK, Águas do Tejo Atlântico (AdTA), ADENE, ETRA SpA, Baseform, Water Europe, De Watergroep, Aquafin, Proefstation, VITO, Mechelen, Bodø Kommune, Nordkontakt, TECHNI AS, Hydrotech Engineering Srl, Adelphi, Depuracque Servizi srl, CML, Turbulent
Funding
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
Industrial water use has various impacts on the environment, the economy and society in Europe. One of the main problems in this area is water scarcity, as 40% of the water abstracted in Europe is used by industry. This is a particular problem in areas with limited water resources, water pollution, a general deterioration in water quality and significant energy consumption associated with water use and treatment. Despite this fact and the additional impacts of climate change, solutions and initiatives for the recovery of industrial wastewater are rare, primarily because the price of water does not reflect its true value or availability. This often deters industry from investing in much-needed water recovery technologies.
To pave the way for sustainable and efficient water and resource use, the R3VOLUTION project is developing key innovations that enable economic, environmental and operational water recovery and address the challenges of solvent and energy recovery.
Over the course of four years, the project partners demonstrate sustainable solutions for resource recovery and develop customised membrane-based treatment plants coupled with waste heat, as well as a digital process assistant to achieve an optimal configuration for various industrial environments. This will minimise implementation risks and provide crucial operational support. To revolutionise industrial water management, the R3VOLUTION project comprises four pilot-scale demonstration sites that demonstrate the applicability and reproducibility of solutions in the petrochemical industry, bio-based chemical industry, the steel industry, and the pulp and paper industry.
Project website: https://r3volution.eu/
Project partners
Funding
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 working groups of the CIRSEAU cluster analysed the results from 35 demonstration sites in order to foster synergies across the various study areas. The cluster thus contributed to the circularity of the European water ecosystem by identifying alternative water sources, reducing water consumption, increasing usage efficiency, recovering valuable materials from water, creating low-greenhouse-gas water cycles and strengthening their resilience to climate change. In addition, joint briefings were published and public outreach activities were carried out.
CIRSEAU is now funded by the European Research Executive Agency as a 36-month Coordination and Support Action (CSA) to further improve market uptake, collaboration and knowledge exchange. Through targeted professional qualifications, training and further education, CIRSEAU aims to change the perceptions and behaviour of water users and promote circular solutions. Through proactive stakeholder consultation and collaborative work, the project addresses relevant social barriers and develops a roadmap for the efficient management of resources and energy within a sustainable water cycle. By involving relevant bodies in the development of criteria for determining the end-of-waste status (EoW) and in the further development of standards for innovative solutions, CIRSEAU will accelerate the transition to a circular water economy in line with the EU’s zero-waste policy, with the aim of becoming climate-neutral by 2050.
The CIRSEAU project also plans to collaborate with its sister projects, as well as other EU projects and initiatives, to contribute to a water-conscious and circular Europe.
Project website: https://cirseau.eu/
Project partners
Aqualia, Water Europe, EurEau, NTUA Ethnicon Metsovion Polytechnion, TU Delft, KWR, SINTEF, Eurecat, PKF Attest innCome
Funding
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(AU), Institut National de L’Environnement, Industriel et des Risques (INERIS), IWW Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wasserforschung gemeinnützige GmbH (IWW), National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Stichting Future City (FC), Fundación Nueva Cultura del Agua (FNCA), TARH-Terra, Ambiente e Recursos Hidricos Lda (TARH), Barcelona Regional Agencia Metropolitana de Desenvolupament Urbanístic d’infrastructures SA (BR), Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company (EYDAP), The University of Western Australia (UWA), Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)
Funding
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 over 30 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 Assistant
+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.