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Economy and education

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An accessible version of the article is available athttp://waterresources.fona.de/reports/bmbf/annual/2010/nb/English/50/3_-economy-and-education.html

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In this country, clean drinking water and functioning wastewater disposal are a matter of course. Thanksto tailored and professional management, costs can be regulated effectively and reduced if necessary.As well as contributing to the optimisation of domestic concepts, the BMBF intensively supports the transfer of knowledge and expertise in emerging and developing countries across the globe; the aim isto train skilled personnel and educate them in the environmentally sustainable handling of the resourcewater.

ECONOMY AND EDUCATION

146 WATER AS A RESOURCE | 3.1.0

Communal water and waste management – escaping the cost trap with sustainable concepts

147ECONOMY AND EDUCATION | COST REDUCTION

Nowadays, costs for drinking water, wastewater dis-posal and refuse collection account for the majorityof our ancillary living costs. Responsible utility com-panies are already looking for ways to minimise cus-tomer expenses and raise the efficiency of their ownoperations while maintaining highest quality levels.Supported by the Federal Ministry of Education andResearch (BMBF), a number of pilot projects haveshown that adaptive management and optimisedinstruments, such as performance indicators andbenchmarking, enable the implementation of effi-cient and sustainable supply and disposal processes.In this context, even the smallest of measures canhave a big impact.

In Germany, clean drinking water and a functioningwastewater and waste disposal system are a matter ofcourse. Yet in the face of high investments in system main-tenance and expansion, many communities and theirpublic or private utility companies are under great eco-nomic pressure. As a result, cost-effective management isbecoming ever more important.

Cost and fee debate intensifying

To provide consumers with safe and reliable supply anddisposal services, the German water and waste industryhas spent the last decades investing heavily into theexpansion and modernisation of plants, sewers and watersupply networks. This expenditure must pay off in thelong term, yet the sector is constantly called upon to tack-le new requirements: the cost and fee debate is intensify-ing, while demographic and structural changes are neces-sitating expensive alterations of the supply and disposalsystem in some regions. All the while, consumers aredemanding affordable costs and fees – without suffering adrop in quality levels.

Practicable instruments

In order to meet these requirements, sustainable planningand actions are required on the part of the waste andwater sector; it is essential that optimised solutions arefound on the basis of social, ecological and economicaspects. To develop practicable concepts, the variousresearch disciplines must work closely together and seekthe input of other experts. Transdisciplinary work is verymuch the name of the game.

The dialogue between representatives from the worlds ofpolitics, economy, society and research must be intensi-fied in an effort to co-create suitable instruments for prac-tical application. These should allow the utility companiesto better assess the consequences of their actions in thecontext of sustainability and develop appropriate strate-gies on this basis. Tried and tested measures from othersectors must be adapted such that they can be applied towater and waste management (projects 3.1.01 and 3.1.02).

Professional management delivers costbenefits

The transdisciplinary projects funded by the BMBF haveshown that professional management raises the efficiencyof operations and thus also reduces the financial impacton consumers. A range of measures are available to utilitycompanies in this regard: business tools such as integrat-ed management systems (IMS), effective control ofprocesses via performance indicators, systematic, cross-company comparison of processes in the form of bench-marking and application of resource-friendly technolo-gies and procedures.

In many cases, even small changes, such as more flexibleworking time models, can lead to significant savings – andnot just in the field of water management: instrumentssuch as benchmarking or effective controlling also allowwaste disposal companies to improve their performance(project 3.1.03).

In 2002, the German Bundestag initiated a moderni-sation strategy for the German water industry in theform of its resolution “Sustainable water manage-ment in Germany”. This also includes the develop-ment of modern procedures for comparing the per-formance of different operations (benchmarking). Inits corresponding project, the water boardEmschergenossenschaft/Lippeverband (EG/LV) – inconjunction with its partners Aggerverband, RINKEUnternehmensberatung and the Universität derBundeswehr München (Bundeswehr UniversityMunich) – adapted this method to the field ofwastewater treatment and devised strategies for itsapplication in other areas of the water industry. Theproject thus became a building block of the mod-ernisation strategy and set the tone for the success-ful development of the benchmarking instrument.

The boundary conditions for the water economy havechanged significantly: demands for efficiency have risenand fees are now only accepted if the underlying costs aresufficiently transparent. To be able to perform their dutiesin a reliable and economical manner, companies mustdevise methods for efficient wastewater disposal withoutlosing sight of other important requirements. Launchedby EG/LV in 1999, the aim of the project “Benchmarking

in wastewater disposal on the basis of techno-econom-

ic indicator systems” was to improve the operationalprocesses in sewage plants. Since benchmarking was anentirely new concept in the water industry at the time, itsimplementation required a significant amount of devel-opment work. One particular challenge facing the projectpartners was to ensure the comparability of the varioustechnical solutions and their costs despite the differingboundary conditions. This required the development ofstandardised assessment criteria. The partners comparedover 100 sewage plants with population equivalents (PE)◄of 420 to 2,400,000. The project consisted of four parts:

1. Application of the methodology to all plants The results of a precursor project concerning the bench-marking of sewage plants with a PE of 10,000 to 100,000were applied to all EG/LV and Aggerverband plants. Theexperts defined the technical and economic parameters tobe determined, collected the data, calculated the per-formance indicators, analysed the reasons for deviationsfrom the optimum values and identified improvementmeasures. To compare the “wastewater treatment”process across multiple plants, six sub-processes were

Learning from the best – benchmarking in the field of wastewater disposal

examined: mechanical, biological and advanced purifica-tion, sludge stabilisation, sludge recycling and disposal aswell as miscellaneous facilities (e.g. external plants, labsand workshops).

2. Creation of strategies for the inclusion of other operators

The experts also succeeded in including other operators oftreatment plants with different databases in the bench-marking process. The parameters were adjusted accord-ing to the requirements of small and medium-sized enter-prises.

3. Generation of techno-economic assessment criteriafor planning

The benchmarking not only relates to plant operation butalso to planning. EG/LV has documented the investmentcosts for all its plants, sub-divided into the cost types struc-tural engineering and mechanical/electrical engineering.Based on the established data, the experts are able toassess the economic efficiency of structural solutions andprocess combinations in terms of investment costs andoperational expenditure.

4. Development of the methodology for other areas ofwastewater disposal

The project partners also applied the benchmarkingprocess to other areas, such as wastewater discharge. Forthis purpose, they created survey forms, which were tested

WATER AS A RESOURCE | 3.1.01148

•

•

•••

••

•••

•

•

•

Benchmarking workflow

Stages Activities

Description of benchmarking targetDefinition of performance indicators

Definition of benchmarking target

Establishment of participants/ benchmarking target

Implementation

Plan of measuresAscertainment of potentialCause analysis

Determination of benchmarkComparison of performance indicators

Plausibility checkData preparationData collection

IV. Analysis

V. Integration

III. Determination of benchmark

II. Data acquisition

I. Preparation, planning

Benchmarking workflow

ECONOMY AND EDUCATION | COST REDUCTION | BENCHMARKING IN THE FIELD OF WASTEWATER DISPOSAL 149

with other local authorities along with the system itself.The benchmarking of rain overflow basins and pump sta-tions of the sewage network was also examined.

Practical benefits

The venture succeeded in establishing a solid foundationfor benchmarking in the water industry. The method isnow used throughout the world and is helping to reduceannual operating costs by 3 to 12%. Furthermore, sewageplants of all sizes can be compared using a techno-eco-nomic indicator grid. Since the performance indicator sys-tem presents all wastewater disposal sub-processes in auniform manner, comparisons of individual process stepsare also possible. Targeted improvements can thus bemade on a structural and selective basis.

The experts enhanced the system to be able to implementthe requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive◄.The results of the project served as the basis for the bench-marking organisation aquabench GmbH, which is madeup of Emscher Wassertechnik GmbH and AggerwasserGmbH, the cities of Hamburg, Bremen, Dresden, Zurich,Cologne, Düsseldorf, Munich and Berlin – or their corre-sponding water companies – as well as the consulting firmon.valco. aquabench provides online access to a widerange of benchmarking products, which relate to differ-ent processes and enable comparisons at company level.

The experts continuously presented the results of theirresearch project and experiences gained from follow-upprojects to the relevant trade associations. A uniform,quality-assured process is supported by a leaflet andguidelines published by the German Association forWater, Wastewater and Waste (DWA) and the GermanTechnical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water(DVGW) as well as an example indicator system of theDWA. Since 2005, the associations have also been inform-

ing politicians, the public and companies about the indus-try’s performance via their “Profile of the German watersector”. Benchmarking projects are now conducted andcorresponding reports published in virtually all Germanstates (e.g. www.abwasserbenchmarking-nrw.de).

The aim is to continue the proliferation of benchmarkingand to establish an international performance indicatorbasis to enable comparisons between different projects. Inaccordance with the Water Framework Directive, meansof extending the observation period beyond companyboundaries must also be examined. An initial investiga-tion of this subject was performed by EG/LV, aquabench,the Universität der Bundeswehr München (BundeswehrUniversity Munich) and the University of Duisburg-Essenin their pilot project “Benchmarking the management ofriver basins◄”.

Project website ►www.aquabench.de

Emschergenossenschaft and LippeverbandProf. Dr.-Ing. Andreas SchulzKronprinzenstraße 2445128 Essen, GermanyTel.: +49 (0) 2 01/10 4-27 23Fax: +49 (0) 2 01/10 4-27 86E-mail: schulz.andreas@eglv.deInternet: www.emschergenossenschaft.deFunding reference: 02WI9913/9

Deviation from

optimum value

Cause analysis

Future actual valueActual valueOptimum value

Comparison of performance indicatorsBenchmarking

Qualifiable/concrete measures

Unquantifiable measures

Unchangeable

Benchmarking methods and core elements

Basic data – structure and technology

Efficiency Reliability QualityCustomer

service

Sustainabil-

ity

Criteria for assessing the performance of a water management compa-ny

Quality, supply reliability, customer service, sustain-ability and efficiency are important target variablesin the water supply sector. To raise its effectivenessin these key areas, the water industry is increasinglyrelying on performance indicators – a business toolthat is already used successfully in industrial appli-cations. The IWW Water Centre (Rheinisch-West-fälisches Institut für Wasserforschung) has devel-oped a performance indicator system that has nowbecome the industry standard. It is based on a mod-el of the International Water Association (IWA) andsupports the process analysis of water productionand examination of sustainability aspects of thewater supply.

To exploit all means of cost reduction and identify anyoptimisation potential, the companies of the water indus-try require a suitable database. More and more of theseoperations are therefore employing indicator systems,since they supply reliable information to act as a basis forbusiness decisions but can also be used for benchmarkingpurposes – i.e. comparisons with other companies in thesector. Company management can thus monitor thedevelopment of their operation, establish in what areas itperforms better than the competition and identify wherea need for improvement exists.

The aim of the project “Performance indicators for

water supply services: Field test of the IWA perform-

ance indicator system”, which was conducted by theIWW and funded by the BMBF, was to create and test anindicator system for the German water industry on thebasis of international standards. 14 operations joined theproject group and agreed to test and develop the systemover the course of three survey periods.

Performance indicator system of the IWA

The IWA indicator system has eight key characteristics:● The system contains all tasks of a water supplier,

organised into the areas of technology and adminis-tration.

● The hierarchical structure of the system enables inter-linking of all performance indicators – from maintasks, subtasks and individual tasks to specific process-es, with an increasing level of detail.

Peak performance indicators – professional management in the water industry

● All terms, derivations and data structures (e.g. finan-cial structure) are uniquely defined.

● In the data model, all entered information is evaluatedas to its reliability and accuracy.

● Depending on the user group (e.g. companies, author-ities, trade associations, banks) the performance indi-cator system and the weighting of the indicators canbe flexibly adapted to different requirements.

● The system is designed for electronic data processing –a mandatory requirement for the continuous use ofperformance indicators as a management tool. Com-panies will find the process much easier if they collectdata variables before calculating and evaluating theperformance indicator results.

● To support the persons responsible for the operationsin interpreting the indicator results, the German IWAmanual provides context information relating to cor-porate structures (e.g. size, legal form, managementsystems), supply systems (e.g. protected areas, wells,water works, pipeline data) and supply areas (e.g.topography◄, soil condition).

● A total of 55 performance indicators and 19 contextinformation items are assigned to the five main fea-tures of the drinking water supply – reliability, qualityand sustainability of the supply, customer service andefficiency.

WATER AS A RESOURCE | 3.1.02150

Level of consideration

Examples of performance indicators

Level of aggregation

High

Low

Small

Large

Number

Overall company“Proportion of replaced and restored network lengths in year”

“Personnel working on technology for operating and maintenance tasks”

“Number of involved organisational units for establishing connections to houses”

Area/department

Process level

From highly aggregated performance indicators for assessing theoverall company to detailed process indicators

ECONOMY AND EDUCATION | COST REDUCTION | PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT IN THE WATER INDUSTRY 151

Multiple benefits

Continuous indicator analyses and comparisons are notonly an excellent means of identifying and eliminatingweaknesses in a company. Based on the experiences of theoperations involved in the project, the system also offers arange of additional benefits: ● The system necessitates the creation and maintenance

of a structured data model that reflects the conditionswithin the company.

● The tasks, workflows and results for all performancefeatures become more transparent.

● The system enables the conclusion of target-orientedagreements with the responsible company divisions,which promotes cost awareness and efficiency in themaintenance of quality and reliability.

● The decision-makers are better able to assess whereco-operation with external partners (e.g. utility com-panies, service providers) would be beneficial, sincethey may be able to deliver a specific service in a moreefficient manner.

● Delivered services and rectified deficiencies can bemade transparent to the public.

Practical and successful

The practical and internationally compatible IWW per-formance indicator system, with its specific enhance-ments, has since been widely accepted in practice and hasbecome the industry standard for German water supplyservices. More than 500 water supply companies through-out the German-speaking region have used the system innumerous benchmarking projects.Based on this wide-spread application, the IWA system

became the focus of a joint follow-up project entitled “Sus-tainability of water services” conducted by the IWW, theInstitute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE) and theRegional Planning and Environmental Research Group(ARSU). In the context of a detailed efficiency and perform-ance analysis of the operational processes employed inwater production, the project also served as the startingpoint for a joint research venture between the IWW andthe Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg (HamburgUniversity of Technology) entitled “Development andpractical test of process indicators for the management,supply and treatment of water”.

The project gave rise to the following publication, amongothers: “Kennzahlen für Benchmarking in der Wasserver-sorgung. Handbuch zur erweiterten deutschen Fassungdes IWA-Kennzahlensystems mit Definitionen, Erk-lärungsfaktoren und Interpretationshilfen” [Performanceindicators for benchmarking water supply services. Hand-book for the extended German version of the IWA per-formance indicator system with definitions, explanatoryfactors and interpretation aids] (wvgw Wirtschafts- undVerlagsgesellschaft Gas und Wasser mbH, Bonn 2005 –ISBN 3-89554-152-4)

IWW Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wasserforschung gGmbHDr.-Ing. Wolf MerkelChief Technical OfficerMoritzstr. 2645476 Mülheim an der Ruhr, GermanyTel.: +49 (0) 2 08/4 03 03-0Fax: +49 (0) 2 08/4 03 03-80E-mail: info@iww-online.deInternet: www.iww-online.deFunding reference: 02WT0224

Pipes and fittings in a water works (filter outlet and flush water distribution)

Well chamber and turbine in a water works

As well as extremely high requirements, municipalwaste management companies now face constantlychanging legal provisions and regulations. In addi-tion to the ever-present economic demands, thecompanies have found themselves under increasingenvironmental pressure in recent years. They mustcomply with strict environmental regulations andensure separate collection, recycling and disposal ofall waste. The responsible managers are now beingcalled upon to increase both the productivenessand cost-effectiveness of their operations while con-tinuing to tackle these sometimes very complextasks. In a joint research project, representativesfrom 19 such companies have worked with expertsto analyse possible means of implementing moreefficient waste management and city cleaning,assess the feasibility of these approaches and devisecorresponding recommendations.

The project was started in 1999 as a result of an ideas com-petition held by the BMBF to reduce costs in public wastedisposal. The aim of the venture “Cost reduction in pub-

lic waste disposal and city cleaning” was to establishsome basic recommendations. The project participantsincluded representatives from waste management com-panies located in German cities and communities of vary-ing sizes. These organisations embodied a number of dif-ferent business types – ranging from government- andowner-operated companies to mixed enterprises and pub-lic limited liability companies. The project was co-ordinat-ed by INFA GmbH (Ahlen), with technical support provid-ed by the Institut für Umweltökonomie (IfU, Mainz), uveGmbH (Berlin) and intecus GmbH (Dresden). Five workinggroups were set up and each tasked with identifying costreduction potential in one of the following areas: wastelogistics, street cleaning, depots and workshops, costaccounting and efficiency management as well as organi-sation and administration.

The first step was to perform a survey of selected opera-tions, during which the experts recorded important per-formance data. They worked with the companies to exam-ine new organisational forms, methods and techniqueswith the potential to raise operating efficiency. Based onexperiences gained during this process, the project teamdevised a target concept, performed target/actual com-parisons and determined performance indicators. The fiveworking groups identified savings potential in all fiveareas, which in some cases was quite considerable. Theyalso found that these savings could be successfully appliedto other operations in the sector.

Waste disposal and city cleaning – continuous optimisation of public utility companies

Waste logistics

In the area of waste logistics, a range of possibilities wereexamined with regard to their potential cost savings andpracticability. These included the collection and vehiclesystems, collection intervals, type and scope of separatecollections, the route planning and software used for thispurpose, personnel and vehicle deployment planning,internal procedures, business information systems andnew working time models. The project team identified sig-nificant savings potential. Depending on local circum-stances, examples included intelligently controlled vehi-cle and personnel deployment using route planning soft-ware, adapted collection intervals, the separation of wastecollection and transport using swap bodies, more flexibleworking time models, the use of an improved documenta-tion and management information system as an effectivecontrolling instrument and more intensive personneltraining. In the area of waste logistics, many companieshad already achieved a high level of efficiency before theproject was launched, but were still able to reduce costs by5 to 20% as a result of the joint venture.

WATER AS A RESOURCE | 3.1.03152

Management processes

Process structure

Perspective

Environment

Quality

Risk

Costs

Personnel and financial processes

Business and core processes

Support processes

Companies

Water supply

Wastewater disposal

Wastewater discharge

Wastewater treatment

Waste disposal

Gas supply

Power supply

Road construction

e.g. communication

Occupational

safety

e.g. treatment plant

maintenance

e.g. implementation

of other projects

e.g. IT operationse.g. procurement of

materials

e.g. treatment

plant operation

e.g. concepts and

long-term planning

e.g. financial and

cost accounting

e.g. personnel

development and

management

Corporate process structures (from: DWA-M 801, “Integrated qualityand environmental management system for operators of wastewaterfacilities”, April 2005)

ECONOMY AND EDUCATION | COST REDUCTION | CONTINUOUS OPTIMISATION OF PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES 153

Street cleaning

Significant savings potential – of 5 to 15% – also exists in thearea of street cleaning. The corresponding measures arefrequently employed to raise the quality of street cleaning,since the image of a clean city has become increasinglyimportant in recent times. Examples of these measures arean improved and requirement-based deployment of vehi-cles, longer and more effective cleaning times as well asclose co-operation of manual and mechanical cleaningsystems. The introduction of group systems, optimisedroute planning and the supportive use of small sweeperscan also help to reduce costs.

Depots and workshops

The members of this working group investigated six work-shops dealing with refuse and street cleaning vehicles toassess their workshop configuration, order acceptanceprocess, operational workflows, working hours and co-operation as well as the areas of planning, software andcontrolling. Among other things, they found that fewerinterfaces between the computer programs for timerecording, workshop order management, invoicing andpayroll accounting would enable significant time and costsavings. A functioning controlling system proved to beparticularly significant with regard to business decision-making.

Cost accounting and efficiency

To allow operations to work more efficiently, this workinggroup developed a controlling system with integratedreporting. It allows employees to gather, prepare andpresent information in a manner that facilitates manage-ment decisions. For this purpose, the company mustknow, record and systemise its various services. The proj-ect participants therefore created service catalogues fortheir individual operations. These can be combined withthe basic cost accounting and reporting pyramid to forman integrated management system.

Organisation and administration

Administrative employees should be able to focus on theircore activities. Therefore, the experts of the workinggroup for “organisation and administration” recommendthat a service centre and administrative office be set up,individual service areas reorganised and procurementcentralised; this should be done in line with the size of theoperation and on the basis of local conditions. One publicwaste disposal company was given advice and how toimprove its call centre, while the working group support-ed another operation with the implementation of suitablefleet and workshop management software. Notes on moreefficient waste management can be found in DStGB docu-

ment no. 58 “Handlungsempfehlung zur Kostensenkungin der kommunalen Abfallentsorgung” [Recommenda-tions for reducing costs in municipal waste disposal] (pub-lished in 2006), while the efficiency of street cleaning isaddressed in DStGB document no. 67 “Handlungs -empfehlung zur Optimierung der kommunalen Straßen-reinigung” [Recommendations for optimising municipalstreet cleaning] (published in 2007). DStGB document no.58 appeared in the supplement of the German Associationof Towns and Municipalities (DStGB) “Stadt und GemeindeINTERAKTIV”, issue 4/2006(http://www.dstgb.de/dstgb/DStGB-Dokumentationen/).

INFA – Institut für Abfall, Abwasser und Infrastruktur-Management GmbHProf. Dr.-Ing. Klaus GellenbeckDr.-Ing. H.-J. Dornbusch Beckumer Straße 3659229 Ahlen/Westfalen, GermanyTel.: +49 (0) 23 82/9 64-5 00Fax: +49 (0) 23 82/9 64-6 00E-mail: info@infa.deInternet: www.infa.deFunding reference: 02WA0728

Formulating goalsPlanning measures

Implementing measuresComparing targets and performance

Applying corrective measures

Continual improvement

PDCA cycle (from: DWA-M 801, April 2005)

WATER AS A RESOURCE | 3.2.0154

International environmental education – safeguardingour future through knowledge and co-operation

ECONOMY AND EDUCATION | INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION 155

Education is an important aspect of many of thewater management projects supported by the Fed-eral Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Theaim is to inform different target groups about newor established processes and technologies as well asimportant aspects of water management, thus rais-ing awareness of the importance of our sustainableand environmentally sound use of the resourcewater. Another important aspect is the training andeducation of local project partners: if initiatives incountries outside Germany are to be successful inthe long term, they must be continued independ-ently upon project completion.

To simply regard international environmental educationas an instrument of acute environmental protectionwould be short-sighted: it also represents an essential toolin the fight against poverty in developing and emergingcountries. The programmes funded by the BMBF are thusin tune with the United Nations Decade of “Education forSustainable Development” (2005 to 2014).

Projects with strong educational value also create a sus-tainable basis for international co-operation in regionswith scarce water resources and help to strengthen theposition of the German water industry by opening up newmarkets. Last but not least, such initiatives also build theinternational reputation of Germany as a centre of scienceand technology.

Programmes for global knowledge exchange

The disciplines of environmental protection and sustain-able development are highly reliant on the continuousadvancement of theoretical and practical knowledge. Ger-many can look back on many years of environmental andsustainability research and thus has both an opportunityand a duty to share its extensive technological and plan-ning expertise with the rest of the world. Just one exampleof this is the project “Introduction of a German post-grad-uate course for environmental sciences in China”, whichwas successfully completed in 2008. In 1999, the long-standing water technology co-operation between theBMBF and the Israeli Ministry of Science and Technology(MOST) also saw the creation of the “Young ScientistsExchange Program” (YSEP) with the aim of motivatingyoung scientists to participate in this international co-operation. The YSEP is primarily geared towards gradu-ates, PhD students and post-docs and offers research staysof up to six months at partner institutions in Germany or

Israel. As part of the German-Israeli co-operation, over100 research projects have been completed over the lastfew years. Developed in conjunction with numerous Euro-pean universities, the study module “Integrated FloodRisk Management” (FLOODmaster) and its e-learningcomponent are also suitable for specialists who wish toexpand their knowledge in this area (project 3.2.01).

Knowledge transfer in Uzbekistan

The transfer of knowledge also plays a central role in aBMBF-funded project in the Central Asian republic ofUzbekistan entitled “Economic and ecological restructur-ing of land and water use in the Khorezm region”.Khorezm is situated on the Aral Sea, which has all but dis-appeared over the last few decades as a result of the mas-sive irrigation required for the region’s intensive cottonproduction. Working with their Uzbek partners and localfarmers, the project participants are promoting environ-mentally sustainable agriculture in the region and sup-porting the inhabitants of Khorezm with the independentimplementation of necessary measures. This is done byproviding regular training to farmers and water techni-cians and by developing appropriate organisational andcommunication tools. The initiative also supports the edu-cation of Uzbek students (project 3.2.02).

International scholarship programme

In 2001, the BMBF launched a scholarship programmeunder the title of “International Postgraduate Studies inWater Technologies” (IPSWaT). The programme offersscholarships for Masters degrees (M.Sc.) and doctorates(Ph.D) as a means of supporting young, highly qualifiedscientists from home and abroad with their research intointegrated, sustainable water management. By awardingthese scholarships, the BMBF hopes to improve the inter-national transfer of knowledge and technology in the fieldof water management and support future decision-mak-ers in developing and emerging countries. The pro-gramme is also laying the foundation for future scientificand economic co-operation (project 3.2.03).

The disciplines of environmental protection and sus-tainable development are highly reliant on the con-tinuous advancement of theoretical and practicalknowledge. Germany can look back on many yearsof environmental and sustainability research andthus has both an opportunity and a duty to share itsextensive technological and planning expertise withthe rest of the world. After all, conserving the foun-dations of life and protecting people from naturalhazards are not just domestic concerns. Three exam-ples from the field of water management highlightthe many means of imparting knowledge to youngscientists across the globe.

German environmental experts teachingin China

Co-operation between China and Germany in the fields ofeducation and research has greatly increased in recentyears China has thus become an important partner to theFederal Republic – both with regard to the number of proj-ects and the funding volume. Two main goals are beingpursued: firstly, the expertise of German specialists isbeing used to promote environmental protection effortsin China. Secondly, the transfer of environmental knowl-edge is to familiarise the Chinese people with Germanstandards, environmental technologies and expertise,while also paving the way for the entry of German compa-nies into the Chinese market.

As an important aspect of this knowledge transfer, theproject “Introduction of a German post-graduate

course for environmental sciences in China” waslaunched in January 2003. This study programme is opento decision-makers and specialists from the fields of eco-nomics, industry and administration, who hold a Bache-lor’s degree or are current Masters students, and providesthem with an in-depth insight into German technologiesand standards. Elements of the Environmental Sciencespostgraduate course offered by the Institute of Environ-mental Engineering (ISA) of the technical universityRWTH Aachen have been integrated in the Mastersdegree courses of two Chinese universities. German tutorsare delivering series of lectures on the subjects of watermanagement and waste disposal to students at these insti-tutions. At the end of the lecture programme, the top 15students of each class are invited to Germany to experi-ence our water technologies and water managementstructures first-hand.

Learning from the experience of others –progress through global knowledge transfer

Exchange programme for young German andIsraeli scientists

Since its initiation in 1974, the water technology co-opera-tion between the BMBF and the Israeli Ministry of Scienceand Technology (MOST) has given rise to over 125 researchprojects. In 1999, the co-operation was further enhancedby the addition of the “Young Scientists Exchange Pro-gram” (YSEP). The aim of this initiative is to motivateyoung scientists to participate in the German-Israeli co-operation in the field of water technology.

The YSEP programme his since become one of the mostimportant aspects of the joint efforts between these twocountries. It is geared primarily towards graduates, PhDstudents and post-docs and offers research stays of up tosix months at partner institutions in Germany or Israel.Up to the end of 2011, a total of 70 budding scientists(35 Israeli, 35 German) participated in the programme –one particularly positive aspect being that female stu-dents have accounted for half of this number.

WATER AS A RESOURCE | 3.2.01156

ISA employees teaching at the Tsinghua University of Beijing

Test drilling for a well in the Judean desert near the Dead Sea as part ofa research project

ECONOMY AND EDUCATION | INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION | PROGRESS THROUGH GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER 157

International study module on floodmanagement

Extreme flood events continue to underline the impor-tance of comprehensive risk management – both in Ger-many and abroad. Transdisciplinary analyses of complexflood risks and assessments of management options areproving particularly challenging both from a researchand practical perspective. By providing an appropriaterange of courses, university education can instil young sci-entists and experts with a better understanding of theissue as a whole. This includes both the connectionsbetween the hydro-meteorological causes of floods andsocial, economic and ecological vulnerability◄ as well asthe effectiveness of preventative measures and disastermanagement.

This is the aim pursued by the international study module“Integrated Flood Risk Management” (FLOODmaster),which is taught at the Technical University of Dresden aspart of the Masters degree course in Hydro Science andEngineering. The international, English-language studyprogramme effectively combines basics of natural sci-ences and engineering with economic, social and plan-ning expertise. The course is aimed at Masters candidates,students in higher semesters and graduates. The special e-learning component of the programme is ideal for expertswho wish to expand their knowledge in this field. Theteaching materials are made available on the Internetboth for full-time students and distance learning purposes.

The study concept comprises the following components: ● Two series of lectures on the subjects “processes of

extreme flood risks” and “integrated flood risk man-agement”.

● Three focus workshops dealing with the most impor-tant flood types; conflicts in the development of man-agement strategies are addressed in an actor’s work-shop involving specialists and professional experts.

● Transnational issues are covered in the form of a mul-ti-day excursion to a European flood risk area.

● The theoretical and methodical basics from the indi-vidual components are combined in a seminar paperon a specific subject.

The module was developed in close co-operation withmultiple European universities and scientists from nation-al and international research initiatives and is supportedby a scientific advisory board. The programme arose fromthe BMBF initiative RIMAX (Risk Management of ExtremeFlood Events) in co-operation with the European researchproject FLOODsite (Integrated Flood Risk Analysis andManagement Methodologies). Today, this universitycourse is taught as a dual module in Flood Risk Manage-

ment as part of the international Masters course in HydroScience and Engineering at the TU Dresden and repre-sents a perfect example of the successful practical applica-tion of a BMBF-funded initiative.

ChinaTechnical University RWTH AachenProf. Dr. Max DohmannTemplergraben 5552056 Aachen, GermanyTel.: +49 (0) 2 41/80-2 66 24 (secretary’s office)Fax: +49 (0) 2 41/87 09 24E-mail: kueppers@fiw.rwth-aachen.deInternet: www.fiw.rwth-aachen.deFunding reference: 02WA0418

IsraelPTKA-WTE Research Centre KarlsruheDr. Hans Joachim MetzgerP.O. Box 364076021 Karlsruhe, GermanyTel.: +49 (0) 721/60 82 23 55Fax: +49 (0) 721/60 89 22 35 5E-mail: hans-joachim.metzger@kit.deInternet: www.ptka.kit.edu/wteFunding reference: KII1101-YSEP

InternationalTU DresdenInstitute of Hydrology and MeteorologyProf. Dr. Christian Bernhofer01062 Dresden, GermanyTel.: +49 (0) 3 51/4 63-3 13 40Fax: +49 (0) 3 51/4 63-3 13 02E-mail: christian.bernhofer@tu-dresden.deInternet: www.floodmaster.deFunding reference: 0330680

Students assessing the flood risk along the Elbe river as part of the RiverFlood Workshop in Dresden

Stopping the inefficient and ecologically damaginguse of the soil and waters while alleviating povertyamong the people: these are the objectives of a German-Uzbek project at the Aral Sea. There is anurgent need for action in this area as decades ofintensive agriculture (cotton production) haveresulted in the gradual disappearance of the AralSea. At the same time, the initiative hopes to pro-vide local farmers with the necessary knowledge toimprove their income using ecologically sustainablefarming methods.

The irrigation agriculture practised in Central Asiareduces the productivity of soil and water resources, whilepoverty continues to rise – issues that can be attributed tothe inefficient and unsustainable use of availableresources. This applies particularly to the irrigated low-lands of the Aral Sea basin in Uzbekistan, an area that ishome to some 27 million inhabitants: intensive cottonproduction has had a serious environmental impact onthe region’s soil and waters.

To halt this downward spiral, the Uzbek populationshould be able to work in a more market-oriented man-ner. After all, farmers account for over 70% of the popula-tion, and they are most likely to protect their resources ifthis will help them to raise their income. However, theyhave insufficient experience of private agriculture, havingonly recently become independent operators. In addition,their economic freedom is still quite limited: the farmersare still under the strict control of the central governmentand are bound by its plans. Merely demonstrating to thesepeople how sustainable agriculture works would there-fore be wholly inadequate. It is equally essential that theyunderstand the local decision-making structures and con-sider the interests of the different policy-makers.

Concepts for irrigation agriculture

To make sustainable improvements to the utilisation ofresources at the Aral Sea, the Centre for DevelopmentResearch (ZEF), an interdisciplinary research institute atthe University of Bonn, joined forces with UNESCO and theUzbek government to launch the research project “Eco-

nomic and ecological restructuring of land and water

use in the Khorezm region” (period of study: 2002 to2012). Institutes from Germany, Uzbekistan and othercountries are also involved in the project.

Opening up new perspectives –sustainability in Uzbekistan

Experts from a range of disciplines (land use, agriculturalsciences, water management, economics and social sci-ences) are developing concepts for the ecologically sus-tainable and economically efficient use of resources in theAral Sea basin. The model region of the BMBF-funded proj-ect is the Uzbek province of Khorezm, situated south of theAral Sea along the lower Amu Darya. The most importantlocal partner is the Urgench State University, where amodern laboratory building was constructed andequipped for the project.

One of the fundamental objectives of the initiative is tosupport the persons responsible in the region in theirindependent implementation of the necessary measures.The scientists are therefore looking closely at local deci-sion-making structures in order to make recommenda-tions for improving the organisation of land cultivationand water management – in conjunction with the localdecision-makers. Studies relating to agricultural businessand macroeconomics and covering the entire productchain are to uncover potential for a more efficient man-agement of resources and improved value creation. Newland use technologies are also being tested. The projectalso supports the academic training of Uzbek students:many are given the opportunity to attend a Mastersdegree course in Tashkent, while 22 postgraduate stu-dents have gained their doctorate at the ZEF in Bonn(many of whom have found positions in Central Asia or arenow supporting the transfer of knowledge as post-doctor-al fellows in this initiative).

WATER AS A RESOURCE | 3.2.02158

A ship graveyard on the dried up ground of the Aral Sea

ECONOMY AND EDUCATION | INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION | SUSTAINABILITY IN UZBEKISTAN 159

Participatory approach

The success of technological innovations is also greatlydictated by the level of participation: the needs and expec-tations of the partners must be addressed, while technicaland institutional changes must be adapted to local cir-cumstances. Close co-operation with the Uzbek partnershas a significant impact on local acceptance. Regulartraining of farmers and water technicians is equally essen-tial, as is the development of appropriate organisationand communication tools. With regard to technical co-operation, the project team is working closely with Ger-man, Uzbek and international organisations.

Part of the initiative included the creation of interdiscipli-nary models for water and land use, which incorporateecological, social and economic aspects. These haveproved particularly helpful in examining the interplaybetween the various factors and participants, thus allow-ing the team to predict the long-term effect of specificmeasures. At the same time, cost/benefit calculations areemployed to highlight the financial benefits if individualtechnologies, thus enabling the local decision-makers toimplement suitable measures.

Four project phases

The ten-year project has been broken down into four phas-es. The first phase involved the creation of the local infra-structure and required database (e.g. digital maps), bothfrom existing materials and the team’s own research.

Based on intensive field studies and model developments,the second phase saw the generation of options for thefuture management of resources. These included new,soil-friendly cultivation methods, optimised irrigationstrategies and technologies as well as the introduction ofalternative crops and tree species, which not only offerenvironmental benefits but also increase the earnings oflocal farmers.

These concepts were then tested by the project partici-pants during the third phase, in close co-operation withfarmers, representatives from the water authorities andthe partner institutions in the Khorezm region. Phase 4(2012) is the implementation stage, in which the scientistsand their Uzbek partners intend to spread their restructur-ing concept across the province. The ultimate aim is toimplement a long-term solution that will allow the regionto enjoy an ecologically, economically and socially sus-tainable future.

University of BonnCentre for Development Research (ZEF)Prof. Dr. Paul L. G. VlekDr. John P. A. LamersWalter-Flex-Straße 353113 Bonn, GermanyTel.: +49 (0) 2 28/73-18 38Fax: +49 (0) 2 28/73-18 89E-mail: JLamers@uni-bonn.deInternet: www.zef.de/khorezm.O.htmlFunding reference: 0339970A, 0339970C

Forestation of a degraded area An irrigation channel with distribution structure

The BMBF scholarship programme “InternationalPostgraduate Studies in Water Technologies”(IPSWaT) represents the direct implementation of arecommendation made in the “Action Concept: Sus-tainable and Competitive German Water Industry”from 2000. The aim of the programme is to supporthighly qualified young scientists, promote the inter-national transfer of knowledge and cultivate long-term contacts in the fields of science, water man-agement and development co-operation.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)launched the IPSWaT programme in 2001 as a means ofproviding highly qualified students and budding scien-tists from Germany and abroad with scholarships for inter-national, English-language Masters courses and Ph.Ddegrees at German universities. In the context of capacitybuilding◄, the granting of these scholarships is to pro-mote the international transfer of knowledge and tech-nology in the field of water management and supportfuture decision-makers in developing and emergingcountries in particular. The programme is also to lay thefoundations for future co-operation.

Scholarships are available for Masters courses (M.Sc.) andPh.D degrees. Around 35 M.Sc. and Ph.D. scholarships areawarded in two annual selection rounds. Candidate appli-cations should ideally refer to a specific problem in theirhome country or region and include a methodical solu-tion approach. The relevant issue should be studied in thecontext of a bi- or multi-lateral research project. The selec-tion panel is particularly interested in applicants intend-ing to research areas of integrated, sustainable watermanagement including aspects of economic value cre-ation. Depending on the desired scholarship, applicantsmust have acquired a Bachelors or Masters degree. Thescholarship will allow Masters students to participate inone of 20 accredited German degree programmes for aperiod of two years. Ph.D degrees are funded for a periodof three years and can be completed at any German uni-versity.

International scholarship programme –imparting knowledge and cultivating contacts

Applications assessed by experts

An expert panel meets twice a year (April and November)to assess received applications. Once the successful appli-cants have been selected by this external, independentcommittee, the relevant universities are notified of theresults by the International Bureau of the BMBF. Candi-dates are selected first and foremost on the basis of theiroutstanding academic qualification. Other selection crite-ria include:● Potential to be included in bilateral or multilateral co-

operation in science, industry or development policy● Practical relevance and transferability of the planned

research work● Institutional links to countries of origin and/or partner

countries● Relevance of the research project to integrated water

resource management

Scope of scholarship

In addition to the monthly stipend (and family allowance,where applicable), the following will be paid to IPSWaTscholarship holders: travel allowance for one return jour-ney to the place of study, a German language course at thestart of the scholarship, health, accident and liabilityinsurance for the duration of study, tuition fees for thefirst semester, maintenance grants for research visitsabroad, a one-off start-up payment and a monthly bonusin the form of a research grant. During the study pro-

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Numerous universities and technical colleges have been accredited forthe IPSWaT programme (source: IPSWaT brochure)

ECONOMY AND EDUCATION | INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION | INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME 161

gramme, the scholarship will also cover attendance of anyrelevant international conferences, training courses andtrade fairs, field studies abroad as well as placements of upto three months at a German water technology companyor water supplier. The following are not covered: Insur-ance and travel costs for family members as well as multi-ple journeys to and from the place of study.

Creation of networks

Since the programme was launched, the BMBF has fundedover 350 students from 60 different countries. A centralaspect of the IPSWaT is the creation of networks bothamong current and former students as well as with Ger-man partner organisations from the fields of water man-agement, research and development co-operation (e.g.with the BMBF programmes IWRM and IWAS or the insti-tutions DAAD, DED, GIZ, InWEnt, KfW). The annual schol-arship meetings have proved to be a successful platformfor internal and external networking. At these events, stu-dents can discuss their research work with one anotherand also have the opportunity to meet relevant stakehold-ers from German water institutions representing theworlds of business, science and development co-opera-tion.

The programme is currently scheduled to run until theend of 2014.

Project website ►www.ipswat.de

International Bureau of the BMBFGerman Aerospace Centre (DLR)International Postgraduate Studies in Water Technologies (IPSWaT)

Cornelia ParisiusHeinrich-Konen-Straße 153227 Bonn, GermanyTel.: +49 (0) 2 28/38 21-4 22Fax: +49 (0) 2 28/38 21-4 44E-mail: cornelia.parisius@dlr.de

A group of students at the IPSWaT scholarship meeting in Leipzig, July2010

A poster session at the IPSWaT scholarship meeting in Stuttgart, July2009

Acidification: Entry of acid into water bodies and soil. Thiscan be the result of “acid rain”, for example, ordegradation products of the pyrite on coal spoil tips.

Activated carbon: Collective name for a group ofartificially produced, highly porous carbons with asponge-like structure. This pure material is characterisedby its large specific surface area (up to 300 m2/g). Activatedcarbon is manufactured from peat, wood, lignite, blackcoal or nutshells. The materials are first carbonised,during which tiny pores are created. Activated carbonadsorbs organic substances from water and the air and isthus able to clean contaminated water or polluted air.

Activated sludge: The biomass formed in an activatedsludge basin during ► aerobic biological wastewatertreatment as a result of the degradation of substances inwastewater. Microscopic examinations have verified thatactivated sludge flocs consist of bacteria and protozoa.

Activated sludge procedure (also referred to asActivated sludge process): With this procedure, thewastewater is biologically cleaned using ► activatedsludge (also known as bulking sludge). The micro-organisms in the sludge (bacteria, fungi) break down theorganic substances: the oxygen required by the micro-organisms is added in the activated sludge basin. Once thewastewater has been cleaned, the activated sludge isseparated from the wastewater in the secondarysedimentation tank and returned to the activated sludgebasin (or disposed of as waste sludge).

Activated sludge process: See ►Activated sludgeprocedure.

Activated sludge reactor: see ►Activated sludgeprocedure

Adsorption: The accumulation of gaseous or liquidsubstances on the surface of a solid.

Aerobic: State involving the presence of oxygen (O2). Alsoused in the context of organisms that require oxygen tolive, or to describe chemical reactions that require thepresence of oxygen.

Aerobic and anaerobic wastewater treatment: See► Biological wastewater treatment.

Glossary

Aerobic biodegradation processes: Degradation ofmicro-organisms with the aid of oxygen.

Aerosol: Mixture of a gaseous substance and liquid orsolid, finely distributed elements referred to as“suspended particles”. These particles are everywhere inthe air and are so small that, individually, they cannot beseen with the naked eye. Examples are salt crystals, sandgrains, pollen and soot as well as other particles inindustrial fumes. Aerosol particles accumulate airhumidity and thus act as cloud condensation nuclei.

Ag ions: Ag (Argentum) is the chemical symbol for silver.Silver is an ancient antiseptic: its use as a preventativemedicine and for treating infections can be traced back toapprox. 1000 BC. Nowadays, silver is used in drinkingwater disinfection, among other things.

Anaerobic: Absence of oxygen (O2). Also used in thecontext of organisms that do not require oxygen to live, orto describe chemical reactions that occur in the absence ofoxygen.

Aquifer: In the field of hydrogeology, an aquifer (from theLatin words aqua = water, and ferre = to bear or carry) isan underground layer carrying groundwater. Aquifers arealso referred to as water-bearing strata. Different types ofaquifer are distinguished depending on the individualrock type (and thus the rock’s porosity).

Arid regions: Regions with a dry climate.

Aromatic hydrocarbons: The aromatic hydrocarbonsbenzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene (►BTEXaromatics) are contained in coal tar but usually obtainedfrom crude oil. They increase the octane number of petroland are also used as solvents and degreasing agents or asraw materials in the chemical industry. Aromatichydrocarbons are generally highly toxic and – at least inthe case of benzene – carcinogenic.

ATR spectroscopy: “ATR” stands for attenuated totalreflection – an analytical procedure for measuring thinsurface layers. The reciprocal action of an infrared beamon the interfacial surface of a permeable material and thesurface of the material to be examined results in theabsorption of a characteristic part of the beam (see► Infrared spectroscopy).

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GLOSSARY 163

Basin: Part of the earth’s surface that is drained by a riverand its tributaries. We distinguish between above-groundand underground basins. The drainage divide marks theboundaries of the basin.

Batch test: A test set-up used to examine the speed ortime at/over which a substrate (in this case, the substancesin wastewater) is broken down by means of biologicalprocesses under specific conditions.

Biocide: Agents (chemicals and micro-organisms) used forpest control in the non-agricultural sector. Examples aredisinfectants, rat poison, wood preservatives etc. See also:►Microbicide

Biocoenotic: The term biocoenosis is used to describe acommunity of plants, animals, fungi and micro-organismsin a separate habitat (biotope).

Biofilm: Layer of living and dead micro-organisms.Biofilms are formed when micro-organisms (e.g. bacteria,algae, protozoa) accumulate on interfacial surfacesbetween gaseous and liquid phases (e.g. at free waterlevel), liquid and solid phases (e.g. gravel on river beds) orliquid/liquid phases (e.g. oil droplets in the water). A thin,usually closed slime layer (film) embedding the micro-organisms forms on the interfacial surface.

Biogas reactor: System that creates biogas from abiomass. Methane accounts for 50 – 70 of biogas, whichcan be used as an energy source. Artificial biogasproduction occurs in multiple stages in a heated reactor atan average temperature of 30 – 35°C and in the absence ofoxygen (►Anaerobic).

Bioindication: Determination of natural or humanenvironmental influences by means of suitable organisms(bioindicators).

Biological denitrification: Procedure employing thenatural ability of micro-organisms (bacteria) to convertnitrate (NO3) into elementary, gaseous nitrogen (N2). Theprocess occurs under anoxic conditions, i.e. in the absenceof oxygen, and requires a substrate (e.g. acetic acid) toenable the bacteria’s denitrification. In drinking waterpurification, the ►denitrification stage must generally befollowed by comprehensive post-treatment (gasexchange, filtration, disinfection).

Biological wastewater treatment: With biologicalwastewater treatment, the organic compounds containedin wastewater are subjected to a biodegradation process.Degradation is performed mainly by micro-organisms inconjunction with dissolved oxygen in the case of► aerobic processes or in the absence of oxygen in thecase of ► anaerobic processes. Inorganic compounds andbiomass are created through conversion processes. Themost frequently used method of biological wastewatertreatments is the ► activated sludge procedure.

Bioreactor: A bioreactor is a vessel in which micro-organisms, cells or small plants can be cultivated orfermented under optimum conditions. The breakdown ofchemical compounds using bacteria can also beperformed in bioreactors. In this context, they play inimportant part in the biological cleaning of wastewater,for example.

Black water: Collective term for all sanitary wastewaterfrom toilets and urinals.

BOD5 (biochemical oxygen demand): This value indicatesthe amount of oxygen in mg/l consumed by bacteria andall other water-based micro-organisms over a period offive days at a temperature of 20°C, and thus serves as thebasis for establishing the volume of biodegraded organicsubstances.

Boreal coniferous forests: The earth’s most northerlyforests, which stretch across Northern Eurasia and NorthAmerica in a wide belt.

Brillouin frequency range analysis: Measurementsystems using the method of Brillouin frequency rangeanalysis are based on the non-linear optical effect ofstimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS), which transfers theextension of an optical glass fibre to a measurablefrequency shift in the backscattered light of an opticalsignal.

Brown water: Sanitary wastewater without urine (see► Urine water).

BTEX: ►Aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene)

Capacity building/development: In the context ofinternational co-operation for human resource andorganisational development, the aim of capacitydevelopment is provide technical support and advice topeople in developing countries. This involvesstrengthening local competence in a sustainable mannerand raising the capacities of the country such thateffective solutions can be found to social, political andeconomic problems.