Science that matters

Eawag is one of the world’s leading aquatic research institutes. With its professional diversity, close partnerships with practitioners and an international network, Eawag offers an excellent environment for the study of water as a habitat and resource, for identifying problems at an early stage and for developing widely accepted solutions.

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The latest news from Eawag

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The latest news from Eawag

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Photo Peter Penicka, Eawag
News
Water chemist Urs von Gunten retires
May 8, 2025

Professor Urs von Gunten is one of the world's best-known scientists when it comes to the treatment of drinking water, in particular oxidation and disinfection processes. He has been conducting research at Eawag since 1989, with interruptions; from 2006 he was a titular professor at ETHZ, and from 2011 a full professor at EPFL. Now he is retiring. He retains a consultancy mandate... and the freedom to critically scrutinise the narrative of Switzerland's leading role in research.
Blue-green areas are important for improving the urban climate - but also for connecting animal and plant habitats (Photo: Giulia Donat, Eawag).
News
Green roofs and ponds as networks
April 15, 2025

To enhance biodiversity in water and on land, we need high-quality, interconnected natural areas. Here the cooperation of different stakeholders is essential.
Filters and heat exchangers can protect infrastructures from clogging by mussels (Photo: Eawag, Linda Haltiner).
News
Gaining time in the fight against the quagga mussel
April 8, 2025

To contain the spread of the invasive quagga mussel, Eawag researchers recommend swift action based on comprehensive prevention, early detection and containment.
Researcher Elisabeth Janssen during sampling at Lake Greifensee (Photo: ETH Board, Daniel Kellenberger).
News
Blue-green algae: every lake is unique
April 3, 2025

To predict toxic algal blooms, researchers from Eawag recommend a combination of species identification and chemical measurements. Now, a new study confirms that there is no magic formula and that, instead, specific indicator molecules are needed for each lake.
According to the study, environmental pollution, such as from the spraying of pesticides, and habitat changes have a particularly negative impact on the number of species and the composition of species communities (Photo: Adobe Stock).
News
The devastating impact of humans on biodiversity
March 26, 2025

Not only are the numbers of species declining, but the composition of species communities is also changing. This is shown by a new study published in the journal “Nature”.
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Info Day 2025

Groundwater – utilising and protecting the resource drinking water

Thursday, 4 September 2025

AKADEMIE, Empa-Eawag Campus, Dübendorf

Topics in focus

Other topics
Other topics

Events – visit us

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13.05.​2025
Umik Seminar
Identifying ecological characteristics that determine functional stability of bacterial communities
4.00 pm
Eawag Dübendorf FC-C24 & online via zoom
14.05.​2025
FishEc Seminar
A framework for integrating empirical intraspecific variation into community dynamics reveals persistence in mutualistic...
2.00 pm
Eawag Kastanienbaum, Bootshaus Sitzungszimmer
15.05.​2025
Eawag Seminar
Translating Molecular Science to Practical Application in Natural Systems and Engineered Processes
4.00 pm
Eawag Dübendorf, room FC C20 & online
See agenda
New Publication

Changes in Water

The publication Changes in Water illustrates how Eawag contributes to the developments of solutions in the areas of health, cycles, biodiversity and the climate crisis through teaching, consulting, excellent basic research and applied research. You can now view the publication online or order your personal copy.

Learn more about our main interests

Drinking water

we are investigating the basis for clean drinking water and sustainable management of drinking water resources.

Wastewater

we are investigating how to optimise wastewater infrastructures and overcome new challenges.

Biodiversity

our research contributes to understanding and conserving aquatic biodiversity.

Ecosystems

we are investigating biotic communities and their habitats in order to conserve ecosystem services for us humans.

Pollutants

we are investigating the effect of chemical substances on the environment and developing methods to remove them from drinking water, wastewater and bodies of water.

Water and development

our research supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, first and foremost the objective of “clean drinking water and sanitation facilities”.

Societal decision-making

we are developing strategies and methods to support politics, administration, the economy and society in complex decisions.

Climate Change and Energy

we are exploring solutions to make the energy transition environmentally friendly and reduce the impact of climate change.