The newsletter from TZW: DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser

Editorial

Dear colleagues,

As we have to realise at present, the Coronavirus will keep us busy for some time to come. On behalf of the German Gas and Water Association, TZW has completed an extensive literature study and is working on further pandemic-related studies, such as a monitoring programme for wastewater, which could become a "corona trend barometer". Please read the article about our latest research activities on micro- and molecular biology.

TZW is involved in research and knowledge clusters throughout Germany, in Europe and internationally. As a result of these networks numerous projects have already been generated and successfully completed. Two projects with partners from Singapore and China are presented in this issue of TZW NEWS. In the European context the new EU Drinking Water Directive and the inclusion of PFAS poses new challenges for water analysis. 

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We hope our selection of topics meets your interest. We would be pleased to receive your feedback.

Dr. Josef Klinger

TZW research on SARS-CoV-2 
in the aquatic environment

On behalf of the DVGW, scientists at TZW evaluated and summarised about 300 studies and other literature on SARS-CoV-2. This provides the current state of knowledge in a clear and scientifically sound manner. In addition, the experts for micro- and molecular biology at the TZW are working on the systematic collection and measurement of wastewater in order to identify possible sources of infection within the scope of monitoring programmes. The detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater could thus serve as an early warning system in the future.

Sino-German Water Supply Network (SIGN): Special Issue presents results
of research activities at Lake Tai  

The Sino-German Water Supply Network (SIGN) is a joint project that has been running since 2015 with BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research) funding and is already in its second phase. A recently published special issue of the journal "Science of the total Environment" entitled "Taihu (China): Water Quality and Processes - From the Source to the Tap" offers now a comprehensive overview of the research work on Lake Tai in China. Prof. Dr. Andreas Tiehm, head of the department of Micro- and Molecular Biology at TZW, is the project coordinator of this joint project. He has answered some questions about SIGN for TZW NEWS.

New EU Drinking Water Directive: Regulations for PFASs are analytically only partly feasible

The draft of the new EU Drinking Water Directive regulates per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) for the first time. These industrially produced chemicals are released into the environment via a variety of products. The detection and monitoring of these compounds, which are currently difficult or impossible to analyze, poses new challenges for water analysis.

TZW and PUB Singapore jointly research nanoparticle analysis 
in water reuse

The cooperation between the Singapore National Water Agency PUB and TZW lasts since June 2014 with several projects being worked on. The research project completed in 2019 was aimed to evaluate the Laser-Induced Breakdown-Detection (LIBD) as a monitoring tool for the integrity of reverse osmosis membranes with regard to the removal of nanoparticles in the size range of viruses. 

Golf courses maintenance and pesticides use

Golf courses are also located in many catchment areas of water catchments. In the past, water suppliers have therefore repeatedly turned to TZW, asking how to assess their concerns regarding the use of pesticides on these sports facilities. In a reference project with the German Golf Association (DGV), TZW has developed new decision-support models for sustainable groundwater protection in this area of conflict.

Legionella in cold water

In the DVGW-research project “Legionella in cold water”, extensive investigations were carried out under laboratory conditions, with drinking water model installations as well as in installations of buildings. As a result, approaches for the reproduction process of Legionella in the drinking water system were concluded. It was shown that the legionella concentration in a system is significantly determined by the factors temperature, biofilm composition, flow profile and nutrient content of the materials used. 

Personell changes

Two longstanding heads of department at TZW will retire at the end of the year. Their successors are coming out of the institution and will ensure continuity. Dr. Burkhard Wricke had been head of the Dresden branch office for 30 years. Before he was head of the Research Centre for Water Technology Dresden, which became the TZW branch office. Dr. Wricke has thus shaped and influenced the integration, establishment and development of the TZW branch office. For DVGW member companies and water utilities, he was the regional contact for all current issues. In addition to questions on water treatment, he has provided essential impulses for the entire field of water distribution systems. His successor will be Dr. Andreas Korth, who has been working at TZW in Dresden since 2000. Since 2006 he has been responsible for the water distribution division. Up to now he has been deputy head of department.

There will also be a change of personnel in the department Groundwater and Soil. At the end of the year Joachim Kiefer will retire. He has been head of the department since 2001 and has been the competent contact person for all questions concerning resource protection and groundwater for more than 35 years. He has played a major role in the development of the groundwater database "Grundwasserdatenbank Wasserversorgung Baden-Württemberg". With his proven expertise, he was the contact person for water supply companies and negotiator when it came to demanding measures for groundwater protection and minimising risks in water catchment areas. The subject of nitrate accompanied him from his first years of work until his retirement. Sebastian Sturm, who has been responsible for many projects and research activities in the field of resource protection and risk management since 2000 and is already deputy head, will be responsible for this topic in future.

Publications

Annual report 2019

The TZW Annual Report provides an overview of the activities of TZW and looks back at the main topics and projects of the past year. From now on it will be published in a new, upgraded design and bilingual in German and English. Take a look inside:

NEW: Annual report 2019 >

TZW Publication Series (in German)

Band 91: Charakterisierung von LED-basierten UV-Desinfektionsmodulen [Characterization of LED-based UV disinfection modules] (25 €)
Content

Band 92: Quantitative mikrobielle Risikobewertung [Quantitative microbial risk assessment] (25 €) 
Content

Band 93: SARS-CoV-2 im Kontext der Wasserversorgung [SARS-CoV-2 in the context of water supply] (25 €)
Content

Social Media

The TZW is also active in social media. Visit us on LinkedIn and youtube. You can also meet many of our researchers on Researchgate.

Imprint

TZW:  DVGW - Technologiezentrum Wasser (German Water Centre), Karlsruher Straße 84, 76139 Karlsruhe, Deutschland, phone: +49 721 9678-0, fax: +49 721 9678-101, e-Mail: info@tzw.de, www.tzw.de

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