Topical Areas in Water Research

Department ESS’ research contributes to core aspects of present-day water management problems. Currently, are active in three main topical areas. Another three areas are covered by individual research activities:

Major topics

Pollution management and water quality

Major issues are the control and reduction of micro-pollutants in water bodies, including technical solutions and regulatory frameworks under uncertainty.

Integrate ecosystem services assessment and management in aquatic ecosystem contexts

Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) of river rehabilitation, flood protection measures, hydropower regulation, biodiversity assessment, and integrated water resources management (IWRM).

New urban water management systems based on decentralized treatment or operation

For technologies such as onsite and community-based water-treatment systems, the emergence of new water technology industries, market formation, new business models and service concepts, as well as user acceptance regarding purchase, use, and maintenance are investigated.

Other topics of interest

Climate Change adaptation strategies

Major issues are the consolidation of and coordination between climate change adaptation strategies with water-sector related issues such as flood and drought management, use and protection conflicts typically arising among different sectors such as hydropower, agriculture, and rehabilitation.

Climate change mitigation options

Major issues are the policy design and instrument selection within the iterative setting of two-level games including international and domestic decision levels.

Management and reform in the urban water management sector

Major issues are the reform of water supply and wastewater utilities towards improved performance, better service provision, strategic planning including sustainability considerations, modes of decision making and innovation management, management of competences and organizational structures (e.g. public private partnership).