On 8 July 2020, the board of trustees of TZW met for the 25th time. Due to the corona pandemic, the meeting was held via video conference for the first time. The annual report by Dr. Josef Klinger, CEO of TZW, was also influenced by the current corona situation and its consequences. First of all, Dr. Klinger explained the topics finances, resources and customers, international activities as well as the main focus of work and research for the business year 2019. The board of trustees received essential information on the measures TZW has implemented during the corona pandemic to protect customers and staff and how a gradual, cautious return to normal business operations looks like. It was positive that TZW was able to offer all laboratory and testing services during the entire period.
Prof. Dr. Andreas Tiehm, head of the department of Micro- and Molecular Biology at TZW, then gave the board of trustees an overview of the scientific status of the SARS-CoV 2 virus from a water management perspective. In particular, he dealt with the question which aspects in connection with SARS-CoV-2 could be topics for water management. A transmission of corona viruses through the drinking water supply is highly unlikely. However, robust detection methods for the virus in wastewater and raw water, the possibilities of wastewater-based epidemiology and comparative studies with other viruses are highly interesting topics for water research. Prof. Tiehm concluded: "SARS-CoV-2 in the aquatic environment is a highly relevant field in which a lot of research is still needed."
Further information on the TZW board of trustees and a complete list of members can be found here.