Department Environmental Social Sciences

The Environmental Social Sciences department (ESS) aims at understanding social change with a focus on water and sanitation from an integrative social science perspective

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An employee of a toilet supplier scans the QR code of the collected containers. (LooWatt)

May 24, 2018

Payment via mobile, replacement parts made on a 3D-printer, error messages via NFC-tag – Eawag doctoral student Caroline Saul has found some remarkable innovations in companies that market container toilets in developing countries. She sees great potential in making such technologies more widely available. Read more

The Rhine serves as a drinking water reservoir for Basel. On transboundary rivers, regulation of water quality poses major challenges. Source: Norbert Aepli

April 16, 2018

What is the contribution of upstream areas to micropollutant loads in the Rhine at Basel and Düsseldorf? How effectively do authorities and water suppliers collaborate on management and regulation across national boundaries? An interdisciplinary approach developed by Eawag scientists can help to identify deficiencies. Read more

If global warming cannot be limited to 1.5 °C, approximately one third of the land area and one fifth of the population will be affected by drought. Photo: BAFU, Judith Grundmann

February 22, 2018

The earth’s water supply is changing because of global warming: the ratio of precipitation to evaporation is sinking, and additional arid zones may emerge. The speed at which this development is likely to take place has been analysed by an international team including Eawag researchers. Read more