Research Institute for Water and Waste Management (FiW)

As an affiliated institute of RWTH Aachen University, FiW is one of the leading environmental research institutes in the field of water and wastewater. Our goal is to develop sustainable strategies and innovative processes.

The sustainable development of water management is under pressure from multiple competing uses, climate change and population development, which can only be addressed integrally at the interface with neighbouring disciplines such as agriculture, urban development, the closure of material cycles and, last but not least, our consumer behaviour. FiW therefore works nationally and internationally with a broad network of partners on interdisciplinary research, consulting and transfer projects, in which we often also take on the project coordination as a provider of ideas and project developer.

Our vision

Our vision forms the basis of our daily actions, both internally and externally. We are convinced that the pressing challenges of our time must be viewed globally and solved locally with knowledge-based decisions, sustainable strategies, innovative technologies, commitment and participation, so that the next generations can also take over clean water, necessary resources and an environment worth living in.

Our mission

As one of the leading independent environmental research institutes, we contribute to the sustainable development of water, energy and waste management. We are committed to this with long-term strategies and innovative processes in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Europe and in emerging and developing countries. For us as a practice-oriented research institute, the three pillars research – transfer – sustainability form the basis of our work to achieve our long-term vision.

Our self-image

As an independent, non-profit institute at RWTH Aachen University, we are characterised by professional quality, customer orientation, economic efficiency and the commitment of our strong team. We want to create value – for the environment and society. We achieve this together with our funds and clients, members and partners and, of course, with our employees.

The facts

Foundation: 1979
Legal form: registered association, non-profit, VR1926
Location: Aachen
Subjects: Transfer Institute
Fields of expertise: Water quality management and sustainable development, river basin management, environmental process and energy technology, wastewater, sewage sludge and process development, innovation and knowledge transfer, international cooperation, education and training
Staff: 50

Management:
Dr. sc. Dipl.-Ing. Frank-Andreas Weber (General Management)

Association Board:
Dr.-Ing. Emanuel Grün
Dr.-Ing. Dirk Waider
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Johannes Pinnekamp
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Wintgens