The Freiheitshalle in Hof will be the meeting place for decision-makers in the water industry from April 26 to 27, 2023. The DVGW regional groups of Central Germany and Bavaria are inviting participants to the expert forum with accompanying trade exhibition for the fourth time – with them: 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 as part of the DVGW Water Meeting?
“Because the event covers exactly our topics: With the strengthening of the water sector by additional professorships and research groups in the past 2-3 years, the field of drinking water supply has also become an increasing field of research at Hof University of Applied Sciences. Here, the aspect of securing drinking water supply during increasing periods of drought is increasingly playing a prominent role.”
We would like 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 digitalization in water management.”
Prof. Günter Müller-Czygan
Will people also meet you yourself at the booth?
“Yes, of course. I will be in charge of the booth on 26.04. and will be present at the evening event. My colleague Prof. Dr. Tobias Schnabel will then take over on 04/27/2023. We look forward to many stimulating conversations.”
How do you see the region’s water industry developing?
“The water industry will increase in importance nationwide in the coming years and thus also in the region. This is primarily due to the fact that increasing climate change will have, or is already having, an impact on and in water issues in a variety of ways.”
What does that mean specifically?
“One example: While everyone has been talking about the effects of extreme heavy rain events in particular, such as the one in the Ahr Valley in 2021, we are having to watch with increasing concern how the absence of rain will affect our water supply security. Intelligent and combined solutions that address the handling of both weather extremes are more and more in demand. In our current course on Sponge City, we are discussing exactly these approaches to solutions, and numerous industry participants from our region are taking part. Among other things, they are acquiring the necessary expertise through this course and are 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 treated 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. As part of a pitch, three students from our university will present their research results from practical and master’s theses at the DVGW Water Meeting on April 26.”
Background: The DVGW Water Meeting
An agile cooperation network of institutions, research facilities, companies and authorities from the water and environmental sectors forms the foundation for Hof’s national and international reputation as a “competence location for water”. The Water Meeting is aimed at management, senior technicians and employees from water supply companies, mayors, municipal officials, as well as industry companies and representatives of private-sector and municipal service providers.
The first day of the event will focus on the safety and sustainability of water supply. Water suppliers, special-purpose associations, but also DVGW e.V. itself will present their projects and contributions to climate adaptation and climate neutrality. During the lunch break, students from the 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 wells and pumps, efficient well operation, heads and energy savings in this context.
Accompanying exhibition
The Wassertreff Hof combines theory and practice. More than 60 regional and supra-regional companies from the water industry will present products and services for a safe and sustainable water supply in the accompanying trade exhibition. New problem solutions for drinking water suppliers will be presented. The stage program and the accompanying trade exhibition will both take place in the Großes Haus. This provides a close link between congress participants and exhibiting companies – a suitable setting for the exchange of information and experience, personal networking and concrete industry solutions.
Already three months before the event starts, the stand areas are almost sold out. The organizers are pleased about this strong interest from the industry after the long break in attendance and are working on concepts to be able to meet as many requests as possible.
Registration for congress participants is currently in full swing.
More information at: www.wassertreff-hof.de
