The Freiheitshalle in Hof will be the meeting place for decision-makers in the water industry from 26 to 27 April 2023. The DVGW regional groups for Central Germany and Bavaria will be hosting the expert forum and accompanying trade exhibition for the fourth time - with the Institute for Water and Energy Management at Hof University of Applied Sciences (iwe) under the leadership of Prof Günter Müller-Czygan.
Dear Prof Müller-Czygan, why is the iwe presenting itself at the DVGW Water Meeting?
"Because the event covers exactly our topics: With the strengthening of the water sector with additional professorships and research groups over the past 2-3 years, the area of drinking water supply has also become an increasing field of research at Hof University of Applied Sciences. The aspect of securing the drinking water supply during increasingly dry periods is playing an increasingly important role here."
We want to show that we have our finger on the pulse with our topics and present our diverse research activities. In particular, this also involves our expertise in the field of digitalisation in water management."
Prof Günter Müller-Czygan
Do people also meet you at the stand?
"Yes, of course. I will be in charge of the stand on 26 April and will be present at the evening event. My colleague Prof. Dr Tobias Schnabel will then take over on 27.04.2023. We look forward to many stimulating discussions."
How do you see the region's water sector developing?
"The water sector will become increasingly important throughout Germany in the coming years and therefore also in the region. This is primarily due to the fact that increasing climate change will have or is already having a variety of effects on water issues."
What does that mean in concrete terms?
"One example: While the effects of extreme heavy rainfall events such as those in the Ahr Valley in 2021 have been the talk of the town, we are increasingly concerned about the impact of a lack of rain on our water supply security. More and more intelligent and combined solutions are needed to deal with both weather extremes. In our current training course on the topic of sponge cities, we are discussing precisely these solutions and numerous industry participants from our region are taking part. Among other things, they are acquiring the necessary expertise through this course and thus becoming pioneers in their fields of work. In the S³Rem company network, solutions are being developed to improve the purification of wastewater so that purified wastewater can be used for irrigation purposes, for example. This saves precious drinking water. Here, too, companies from the region are research partners, demonstrating the high innovative strength of our region."
Are there any special promotions to look out for?
"Yes, three students from our university will present their research results from their practical and master's theses as part of a pitch at the DVGW Water Meeting on 26 April."
Background: The DVGW Water Meeting
An agile cooperation network of institutions, research facilities, companies and authorities from the water and environmental sector forms the foundation for the national and international reputation of the city of Hof as a "centre of water expertise". The Wassertreff is aimed at management, senior technicians and employees from water supply companies, mayors, municipal officials, as well as industry companies and representatives of private and municipal service providers.
The first day of the event will focus on the security and sustainability of the water supply. Water suppliers, special-purpose associations and the DVGW e.V. itself will present their projects and contributions to climate adaptation and climate neutrality. During the lunch break, students from Dresden University of Applied Sciences, Dresden University of Technology, Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences and Hof University of Applied Sciences will present their research projects in small pitches. The first day ends with a look at IT security in theory and practice. The Central Cybercrime Contact Point (ZAC) of the Bavarian Police will present interactive case studies on cyber attacks.
The second day of the congress will start with a look at the current status of the new Drinking Water Ordinance with a focus on risk management. This will be followed by questions on the topics of wells and pumps, efficient well operation, delivery heads and energy savings in this context.
Accompanying trade exhibition
Wassertreff Hof combines theory and practice. Over 60 regional and national companies from the water industry present products and services relating to a safe and sustainable water supply at the accompanying trade exhibition. New solutions for drinking water suppliers will be presented. The stage programme and accompanying trade exhibition will both take place in the main building. This ensures close interaction between congress participants and exhibiting companies - a suitable setting for the exchange of information and experience, personal networking and specific industry solutions.
The stand areas are almost sold out three months before the start of the event. After the long break in attendance, the organisers are delighted with this strong interest from the industry and are working on concepts to meet as many requests as possible.
Registrations for congress participants are currently in full swing.
More information at: www.wassertreff-hof.de
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