The newsletter from TZW: DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser

Editorial

Dear colleagues,

this year our colloquium entitled "Adaptation strategies and options for action for the water sector” took place at the end of November. The short presentations and the lively discussion with more than 140 online participants showed that for all the challenges practical research can always open up new solutions. Scientific expertise and innovative processes form the basis for this. The examples of the MALDI-TOF method for rapid identification of bacteria or non-target screening to detect micropollutants in water are just two examples. We have compiled all the papers presented at the colloquium in our TZW volume on the subject (in German). You can order it via our website here. We also report on the new "Flexitility" project for greater climate resilience. The focus at TZW is on how intermediate drinking water storage can help to flatten peak loads in the systems.

At the end of an extraordinary year I wish all readers - on behalf of the entire team - a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year 2023.

Dr. Josef Klinger

Faster bacterial identification with MALDI-TOF

MALDI-TOF is a method for the mass analysis of chemical compounds. This modern and highly innovative method is also used for bacterial identification and has already revolutionized this in the medical diagnostic field. It combines Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) with Time of Flight (TOF) analysis of released ions for mass spectrometry. Investigations within the framework of a DVGW research project have confirmed that this technique is also very promising for the drinking water sector. It works extremely fast and makes it possible to precisely identify bacteria in water.

Non-Target-Screening: Seeing water as a whole

In order to not only detect known substances, but to achieve comprehensive monitoring, non-target analysis is available for water monitoring. This highly specialised technique allows water samples to be analysed for unknown substances. Consequently, the water supply company can examine its water down to the last detail and react quickly and specifically to possible anomalies. It is expected that NTS will increasingly prove to be a useful tool for monitoring raw and drinking water in coming years. The method opens up new possibilities to assess water quality and detect changes. 

Making water infrastructure climate-resilient

The impacts of climate change require the transformation of water and wastewater infrastructure towards climate-resilient systems. Making infrastructure and resource management more flexible is one possible strategy. In order to test promising measures such as water reuse and intermediate storage for drinking water, the implementation phase of the BMBF research project "FLEXITILITY" started in October with the participation of TZW. 

News in brief from TZW

Comprehensive advice on the use of flocculants

Due to supply bottlenecks or the low availability of flocculants, it makes sense to minimise the use of flocculants. Many water suppliers have already done this in recent years for cost reasons. Currently, switching to alternative flocculant products can also provide relief in individual cases. Which flocculants can be used up to which addition quantity, taking into account the treatment requirements, must be checked for each specific object. In addition, further minimisation of flocculant use, e.g. by reducing the flocculation pH value, can be advantageous in individual cases. TZW has extensive experience in this area from its research work and consulting practice and is happy to provide advice on the implementation of such measures. Contact persons at the Karlsruhe site are Marcel Riegel and Stefan Stauder and at the Dresden site Stephan Plume and Katrin Bornmann.

Video "A cloud for tracking micropollutants in water

A new four-minute video offers exciting insights into the BMBF project "K2I tracker for micropollutants in water" at the interface between water analytics and data science. It was produced by TZW as part of the project coordination. English subtitles are available. Link to youtube

New publications

Recently published TZW volumes (in German) are:
> MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry in Drinking Water Microbiology
> 27th TZW Colloquium 2022 "Adaptation Strategies and Options for the Water Sector" (conference proceedings)
Info and order (price 30 € each) via our website here

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TZW: DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser (German Water Centre)
Karlsruher Straße 84, D-76139 Karlsruhe, Germany
phone: +49 721 9678-0, e-Mail: info@tzw.de, www.tzw.de

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