Resource protection

The sustainable protection of water resources is the first pillar in the multi-barrier system for a safe drinking water supply. We therefore focus our research projects on managing hazards and risks in water catchment areas. This concerns groundwater and spring waters as well as rivers, bank filtrates, lakes and reservoirs. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), various state ministries, the EU, the DVGW and water utility companies support the national and international practical research projects. In general, water supply companies or local authority districts are involved in the projects as practice partners as well as pilot or model areas.

Security and safety in drinking water supply

We develop new risk management concepts in water supply according to DIN EN 15975-2 and consider how the WSP  (Water safety Plan) concept of the World Health Organisation (WHO) can be implemented for Germany’s water supply in practice and in line with regulations. From the catchment area to the distribution point, all process steps are analysed to assess the criticality of water supply systems.

Management of raw water resources

We develop innovative solution and planning tools for the risk management of water protection areas and using models, we investigate the impact of climate change on the water supply. New approaches to clarify the hydrochemical process should help to better understand the contamination sources of geogenic or anthropogenic pollutants and micropollutants such as chromate and pesticide metabolites as well as microorganisms. This knowledge can be incorporated in the management of raw water resources.

Agriculture and groundwater protection

High nitrate concentrations in the groundwater or watercourse pollution by pesticides are a result of intensive agriculture. We explore the boundary conditions that lead to pollution and how contamination can be reduced. This generates new strategies to control emissions and success in groundwater protection and concepts for soil monitoring. By means of field trials, lab trials and model calculations we simulate the transfer, for example of nitrate and micropollutants into the groundwater. We investigate how cleaning up polluted groundwater can be achieved by using certain agricultural practices.

Bioenergy and water resource protection

Biomass generation is often viewed critically from a water protection perspective. We investigate the sustainability of biomass cultivation and the potential to sustainably produce biogas as well as the use of waste materials for biogas generation. Our research into watercourse protection focuses particularly on the output of fermentation residues.