Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology
The Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag, German acronym for "Eidgenössische Anstalt für Wasserversorgung, Abwasserreinigung und Gewässerschutz") is a Swiss water research institute and an internationally networked institution. As part of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology Domain, it is an institution of the Federal Department of Home Affairs of the Swiss Confederation. The Eawag is based in Dübendorf near Zurich and Kastanienbaum near Lucerne. After its foundation in 1936 it concentrated on wastewater treatment and drinking water supplies. From these beginnings it has expanded into a multidisciplinary research  institute with a focus on three primary research areas: water as a foundation of health and well-being, water as an essential factor in the functioning of our ecological systems, and strategies for the mitigation of water use conflicts. Nowadays, with a staff of over 500 employees, Eawag is actively engaged in research, teaching and consulting in all areas pertaining to water. Eawag's overall aim is to ensure the sustainable use of water resources and infrastructure and to harmonize the ecological, economic and social interests associated with bodies of water. In doing so, the Eawag plays an important role  in bridging research and practice. History. The Eawag was founded in 1936 as an advisory board of the ETH Zurich for wastewater treatment and drinking water supplies. Less than ten years later this information center officially becomes the "Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology" (or EAWAG as per its German acronym) whose mission is increasingly devoted to developing integrated approaches to water management and protection: besides being key to implementing the first water management regulation in 1957, the institute later demonstrated that the growth of green algae that plagued Swiss lakes at the time was mostly due to  the release of detergent-derived phosphates. These were finally banned in 1985. The institute grew through the 1960s and 1970s: first came the Kastanienbaum hydrobiological research centre, followed in 1968 by WHO's recently created International Reference Centre for Waste Disposal, out of which the current Department for Sanitation, Water and Solid Waste for Development (Sandec) emerged. In 1970 Eawag, until then an institute within ETH Zurich becomes an affiliated institute within the ETH system, moving a few months later in their new premises in Dübendorf. In 1993, a new law sets it as an independent water research institute within  the ETH domain. In 2004 the Fishing Information Centre FIBER, in 2008 the Water Agenda 21 and the Ecotox Centre, and in 2010 the centres of excellence CEEB and CCDW were founded. In 2007 Eawag moved to the Forum Chriesbach, itself a winner of several environmental awards. Activities. Research. As a water research institute Eawag has three major focus areas: Safe drinking water supply and wastewater disposal are essential to maintain human welfare. Eawag research projects aim to develop optimum approaches and strategies to meet future threats caused by increasing contamination, population growth, and climate change. The increasing pressure of  civilisation has a negative influence on the water environment and ecosystems. Developing strategies and measures to both strengthen the resilience and adaptive capacity of ecosystems. Maintaining a sustainable provision of ecosystem services is another focus of Eawag research. Water use conflicts arise when direct human needs for water and the prevention of negative impacts on ecosystems have to be accommodated at the same time. Eawag research projects develop integrated approaches and put specific emphasis on strategies to meet energy concerns in the context of trade-offs and competing demands. The Eawag has twelve research departments, where research is conducted by  natural and social scientists and engineers. This combination permits a wide range of water research. These departments are: Together with external partners and various Eawag departments, the Eawag directs and participates in interdisciplinary and trans-disciplinary projects in order to combine pure research with practical problem-solving. Teaching. The Eawag supports universities in educating undergraduate and doctoral candidates in the natural, engineering and social sciences. Numerous master’s students and doctoral candidates from within the country and from abroad are supervised and guided in projects pertaining to water research every year. In addition, approximately 26 apprentices are trained in laboratory , commercial or IT-related areas. Furthermore, the Eawag offers specialists in water resources management, administration and science regular courses in further education (PEAK – practice oriented Eawag courses). The courses are based on current research work and experience and help to promote communication exchanges of knowledge and experience between research and practice. In the area of further education, six research scholarships are granted to undergraduate and doctoral candidates from developing countries each year within the framework of the Partnership Program for Developing Countries (EPP). Consulting. The Eawag carries out various advisory mandates both inland and abroad including, for example, for the  Swiss Confederation, Cantons and NGOs. Eawag specialists sit as experts in numerous national and international boards and committees. The Eawag aquatic research institute is, moreover, home to various specialist advisory centres: Awards. Eawag researchers have received national and international awards for their achievements. The most important awards include: The Otto Jaag Water Protection Prize was set up in 1980 in order to honor dissertations and master’s theses at the ETH Zurich in the area of water protection and hydrology. Numerous young Eawag researchers have been recipients of this award since then. Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and