As part of the Water Distribution Systems course in the Winter Semester, on 12th February 2025, we organized an excursion for students to explore the new Water Work infrastructures (built in 2022) operated by Stadtwerke Karlsruhe in Mörscher Forest. The visit provided insights into the water supply process, covering key components such as groundwater resources, reservoirs, and elevated water tanks that ensure stable distribution.

Students learned about advanced filtration techniques, including iron and manganese removal systems, regulated-pressure tanks, valves and maintenance progress. The excursion also featured an overview of the pumping systems that regulate water pressure and flow, along with automated monitoring and control mechanisms. Another special highlight of the visit was the impressive light show in the area of the pumping station, which artistically illustrated the system’s functionality.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Nina Rind for her guidance and engaging discussions throughout the trip.

The ENBW is expanding the lower stage of the pumped storage power plant in Forbach at the Schwarzenbachtalsperre with a new power plant cavern.

This doubles the storage volume to 400 thousand m³ and enables the temporary storage of 460 MWh. The new pump turbines are scheduled to go into operation in 2028.

Many thanks to the power plant manager Ulrich Rost for the special permission to inspect the ongoing tunneling work and to Ms. Ruth Siamos for the exciting tour underground!

Globally, rivers have been found to contain high concentrations of microplastics and are also the major conveyors of microplastic pollution to the ocean. This has engendered an increased focus on microplastic sources, transport, and fate in riverine systems.

But how should we design microplastic monitoring plans for rivers if our goal is to quantify concentration, character, and flux?

The seminar video is online now!

On 18.12.2024, we held our Christmas party in a cosy atmosphere in Theodor-Rehbock-Wasserlabor.

The party was a great opportunity to look back on the past year with a presentation by Prof Franca and to look forward together to the goals ahead.

We enjoyed the festive season with a warm get-together, delicious food and happy moments.

In 2021, the flood hit the Ahr Valley and killed 135 people. In 2022, a third of the country in Pakistan was flooded. More than 15,000 people lost their lives. The south of Brazil was affected at the beginning of 2024. There, entire city districts sank into the raging floods. Hundreds drowned. Finally, in October, the east of Spain was hit: tens of thousands of buildings were damaged and thousands lost their livelihoods.

Due to climate change, catastrophic floods have become a terrible norm around the world. So it's high time to take the danger seriously and prepare for it.

The hydraulic engineer Peter Oberle has been researching how flood risks can be assessed as realistically as possible at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology for over twenty years. He is convinced that the state government in Baden-Württemberg is taking the danger very seriously. Unfortunately, this is not always the case at the local level.

As part of our research on quality assurance and management in the context of numerical flow modeling, in cooperation with the German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste (DWA) Working Group WW-1.7, we are currently conducting an international survey.

Further information and the link to the survey can be found on the project page. We invite you to participate in the survey!

Link to the MSc WSE promotion video