Water Science Alliance - Joining forces

The scientific expertise of German water research is excellent in individual areas, but in particular, the national networking and international visibility of the entire field of research are inadequate. The Water Science Alliance establishes structures that help to better utilise the existing potential of German water research in the development and processing of complex and interdisciplinary research topics within thematic alliances. The complementarity of the research institutions (major research institutions and universities) results in synergies from the joint use of infrastructures, observatories, and large-scale equipment, as well as the promotion of young scientists, in addition to the sharing of expertise.

15^th Water Research Horizon Conference 2025!

29 & 30 September 2025 │ Bochum

The 15th Water Research Horizon Conference will take place at the Ruhr University Bochum on September 29-30 2025.

Urban water systems are at the frontline of multiple environmental, social, and infrastructural challenges—ranging from pollution and habitat degradation to increasing climate-induced stressors like droughts and floods. As cities grow and climate change accelerates, innovative and interdisciplinary approaches are needed to safeguard water quality, ensure public health, and foster resilience and sustainability.

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News

WSA empfiehlt 3 zentrale Anpassungen

Die WSA hat die Entwürfe der Koalitionsarbeits-gruppen mit großem Interesse wahrgenommen. Sie begrüßt ausdrücklich die klaren Bekenntnisse zum Forschungsstandort Deutschland, empfiehlt aber dringend drei zentrale Anpassungen in der Forschungs- bzw. Wasser- und Gewässerpolitik. Diese Aspekte sollten sich auch im finalen Koalitionsvertrag wiederfinden – denn Wasser und Binnengewässer sind für Deutschland zentrale, kritische und sicherheitsrelevante Ressourcen.

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Start of the new WSA Lecture Series

The WSA invites you to a special event on water research jointly organised with the Centre of Water and Environmental Research (ZWU) at the University of Duisburg-Essen. The programme opens with a keynote lecture by Prof. Dr. Christoph Donner (Berliner Wasserbetriebe) at 1:00 pm, accessible both on-site and via ZOOM. More program highlights and networking opportunities await on-site.

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Germany's Growing Climate Challenge

Germany is facing an alarming rise in severe flooding, with regions from North Rhine-Westphalia to Bavaria increasingly affected by extreme weather. As climate change intensifies, more frequent and intense floods put vulnerable areas at significant risk, underscoring the urgent need for resilient solutions to protect communities and infrastructure.

An article in the gwf was based on this interview. Read the full article: The growing challenge of flood management...

Read the full interview...

On the road to expertise: the electrofishing licence as the key to fish ecology

The aquatic world is vital for ecological balance, with fish playing a central role as indicators of water quality. Stefan Grosenick from the Aquatic Ecology working group at the University of Duisburg-Essen, who recently received the first WSA Career Navigator grant, is obtaining an electrofishing license to enhance his expertise and contribute to aquatic conservation.

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