Eawag Annual Report 2022

EDITORIAL
5
Eawag
Due to a combination of low precipitation and high evaporation, 2022 was one of the driest years in Switzerland
since measurements began over 150 years ago. The lack of water presents us with difficult decisions: how much
water can be used in agriculture, how much water can be retained in reservoirs for energy production and how
much must remain in streams and rivers to protect aquatic life habitats? Such dry periods will become more
frequent and the competition for water will become even greater. Climate change is changing the water cycle in
Switzerland. More rainfall and greater water runoff from the mountains are expected in winter, resulting in low
water reserves and increasing drought in summer.
Water is also central to other environmental issues. Biodiversity loss is progressing and is particularly severe in
freshwater habitats. The contamination of natural habitats with nutrients and pollutants is increasing and many of
these substances end up in rivers and lakes. The production of food for a growing population in a changing climate
raises the demand for water and puts greater stress on water bodies. Increasing urbanisation calls for new approaches
to decentralised and circular water management. In all these areas, basic research and impact-oriented
science can provide important insights and innovations.
Eawag is well-equipped to play an important role here. Professor Janet Hering has led Eawag for 16 years, developing
it into one of the world’s leading aquatic research institutes. On page 39, she explains how strong research
goes hand in hand with close exchange with practitioners. Dialogue with authorities, politics and industry ensures
that scientific findings and innovation have an impact. As Janet Hering’s successor, I look forward to building on
this strong foundation.
We also need strong research partners to tackle the major challenges of our time. Climate change, changes in
land utilisation, urbanisation and biodiversity loss affect not only the environment, but also all areas of our lives.
Our incorporation in the ETH Domain offers unique opportunities to meet the complexity of these challenges.
Close collaboration with the institutions of the ETH Domain allows us to bring together relevant scientific perspectives,
use modern methods including data-driven and computational approaches, and become more involved in
the innovation process for environmental solutions. Eawag is involved in seven of the ten joint research initiatives
of the ETH Domain and is actively engaged in establishing further research collaborations.
Martin Ackermann
Eawag Director