Science that matters


Gaining time in the fight against the quagga mussel

To contain the spread of the invasive quagga mussel, Eawag researchers recommend swift action based on comprehensive prevention, early detection and containment. Read more




Blue-green algae:
every lake is unique


To predict toxic algal blooms, researchers from Eawag recommend a combination of species identification and chemical measurements. Now, a new study confirms that there is no magic formula and that, instead, specific indicator molecules are needed for each lake. Read more

The devastating impact of humans on biodiversity


Humans are having a highly detrimental impact on biodiversity worldwide. Not only are the numbers of species declining, but the composition of species communities is also changing. This is shown by a new study published in the scientific journal “Nature”. Read more

Promoting the compatibility of hydropower and biodiversity


To better reconcile electricity production with the protection of biodiversity in the long term, it is crucial that hydropower management considers not only the ecological consequences of individual hydropeaking events, but also their cumulative effects. Read more

Understanding how molecules and ecosystems interact


New methods are making it possible to analyse molecules more accurately than ever before – and to decipher their role in the functioning of ecosystems and species communities. In a scientific journal, a research team from Eawag and University of Zurich therefore calls for a new “ecology of molecules”. Read more





Pioneering animal-free toxicity testing with fish cell lines
Before chemicals are placed on the market, they undergo a risk assessment to protect people and the environment. Every year, millions of live fish are used for this purpose worldwide. An interdisciplinary research team at Eawag has successfully developed test procedures using fish cell lines to make animal testing redundant in the future. Watch the video.








Eawag in the media
The media regularly report on our research. You can find the most interesting articles from print media, radio and television here.


Eawag strengthens hydrology expertise
The ETH Board has appointed Paola Passalacqua as a joint professor at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering and at Eawag. Read more


Names for two newly discovered fish species
In a survey, the public was able to have a say in the names of the two fish species discovered by researchers from the University of Bern, the Natural History Museum Bern and Eawag. The names have now been decided. To the article by the University of Bern



Annual Report 2024
Figures on finances, personnel, research and sustainability. Read more





Groundwater – utilising and protecting the resource drinking water
Thursday, 4 September 2025, AKADEMIE, Empa-Eawag Campus, Dübendorf
 
80 percent of Switzerland's drinking water comes from groundwater. Its protection is becoming increasingly difficult, especially in the densely utilised Central Plateau. Can suppliers continue to supply consumers with virtually untreated groundwater under these circumstances? Why have problems that have long been recognised, such as nitrate pollution, still not really been solved? Eawag researchers will address such questions at the Info Day. They will present results and tools that support practitioners and administrators in safeguarding the quality and quantity of drinking water resources.
Further information and registration






9.4.2025, 7.00 pm - 8.00 pm
10.4.2025. 4.00 pm - 5.00 pm
Heavy Metals in Wildfire Suppressants
Eawag Seminar, Eawag Dübendorf

8.5.25, 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
Die Nutzung von numerischen Modellen für die Überwachung und Erforschung von Schweizer Seen
PEAK-Anwendungskurs, Eawag Kastanienbaum
VSA-PEAK-Wassertage, Emmetten

27.8.2025, 6.15 pm  - 7.45 pm
Öffentliche Führung Eawag Kastanienbaum
Eawag Kastanienbaum
4.9.2025, 9:00 - 17:00 Uhr
Groundwater – utilising and protecting the resource drinking water
Info Day 2025, Eawag Dübendorf

In our agenda you will find further events as well as our Eawag Seminars with internationally renowned researchers.






Politradar Wasser Nr. 43, Februar 2025
Brief notes on national and cantonal water policy, with occasional glances at neighbouring countries or the EU (in German only)


Methoden zur Untersuchung und Beurteilung der Fliessgewässer: Fische
Report from the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN (in German and French)





Chlorothalonil: Bundesrat verabschiedet Bericht zu Sanierung des Trinkwassers
Press release and report of the Federal Council  (29.1.2025) (in German and French)








Scientific publications from Eawag can be found on DORA Eawag.


Cover picture: Artificial intelligence, data science, modelling and digitalisation are now central elements of water research. Eawag researchers, in particular the Department Systems Analysis, Integrated Assessment and Modelling, use these technologies and develop innovative approaches and algorithms to identify plankton species, predict the toxicity of chemicals, simulate riverine biocoenoses, study insect biodiversity and the development of floods and droughts. Foreground: handwritten notes, formulas and programme codes of Eawag researchers. Background: Shutterstock, Ostranitsa Stanislav.

You can find more articles on our News Portal.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please send us an e-mail to redaktion@eawag.ch
or visit our website eawag.ch.

Publisher
Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology

Contact
Eawag
Überlandstrasse 133
8600 Dübendorf
Switzerland
www.eawag.ch
redaktion@eawag.ch


The texts and photos credited as "Eawag" on the linked websites are subject to the Creative Commons “Attribution 4.0 International” licence. As long as the source is indicated, this material may be freely copied, redistributed and modified. Further information on the licence.