Archive News

January 16, 2026The Biodiversity Forum of the Swiss Academy of Sciences, together with over 50 experts, has compiled and recently published a report entitled ‘Understanding and shaping biodiversity in Switzerland’. Several Eawag researchers contributed to the report, sharing their expertise in the publication.

January 15, 2026The insecticide fipronil has been detected in Swiss waterways in concentrations that are critical for aquatic life. It has not been permitted for use as a plant protection product for many years. A study involving Eawag now shows that the most likely source of contamination is flea and tick repellents for pets.

January 12, 2026A new study provides precise data on the origin of plastic in the sea. It could be key to reducing this pollution in a targeted way.

January 6, 2026For years, Eawag has been committed to ensuring that its research findings are "open access" – in other words, accessible free of charge. Within the Swiss higher education landscape, its proportion of scientific publications that are open access is therefore among the highest. 

December 8, 2025A global shift to agriculture with no or fewer pesticides would have long-term ecological and economic benefits, according to a new study.

December 1, 2025Eawag researchers are using machine learning to map nitrate pollution in Swiss groundwater. This allows gaps in the measurement network to be filled and the causes of excessive values to be identified. The study is part of a larger project analysing the nitrogen cycle in Switzerland.

November 28, 2025James Runnalls, software engineer at the aquatic research institute Eawag, receives the National Prize for Open Research Data (ORD) for developing the interactive online platform alplakes for monitoring and forecasting alpine lakes.

November 27, 2025A new combination of data and statistical algorithms makes it possible for the first time to precisely track the movements of animals deep underwater. An initial study of flapper skate on the seabed around Scotland will help to develop targeted measures to conserve these Critically Endangered animals and designate suitable protected areas. The results have now been published in Science Advances.

November 19, 2025Walter Giger was a pioneer in the life cycle analysis of environmental pollutants. He analysed, but also insisted that action be taken when the harmfulness of a substance was proven. His work on toxic nonylphenols attracted worldwide attention. Walter Giger passed away on 6 November 2025. With his passing, Eawag and environmental chemistry have lost an outstanding researcher, but for many he was also a good friend.

November 18, 2025An Eawag toolbox provides an overview of technologies for decentralised sanitation systems, their respective advantages and examples of built systems.