Eawag

What Eawag does

Eawag (Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology), founded in 1936 and headquartered in Dübendorf, Switzerland, is a federally mandated water-research institute operating within the Swiss ETH Domain alongside ETH Zurich, EPFL, Empa, PSI, and WSL. The institute is organized across 12 specialized research departments covering aquatic ecology, fish ecology, surface waters, urban water management, systems analysis and modelling, environmental chemistry, microbiology, environmental social sciences, environmental toxicology, process engineering, water resources and drinking water, and sanitation for development. Its workforce of 251–500 staff is distributed across two Swiss locations (Dübendorf and Kastanienbaum), with research output disseminated through the ERIC open-data portal and the DORA publication repository (hosted with Lib4RI), and policy influence tied to UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Eawag's core technology and products span research outputs and applied consulting/education services: proprietary and operational methodologies include environmental DNA (eDNA) for global fish-biodiversity monitoring, vermifilter sanitation using earthworms for wastewater treatment, and urban drainage-based disease surveillance. Commercial-facing offerings include the Ecotox Centre, Quagga Mussel Competence Center, Swiss Rivers Program, VSA Platforms for Micropollutants Process Engineering and Water Quality, Groundwater Network, PFAS Collaboration, Translational Centre Biodiversity Conservation, and a Fisheries Advisory Service, complemented by digital tools (Interactive Knowledge, Tools for Practice, Data Portals), open datasets, and the institute's spin-off program. Educational offerings include MOOCs, PEAK practice-oriented continuing-education courses, summer schools, and a Postdoc Stipendium, with joint professorships and academic programs run alongside ETH Zurich and partner universities.

The revenue model is dominated by Swiss federal core funding through the ETH Domain, supplemented by project grants (UN agencies, BAFU, international academic partners), consulting contracts, continuing-education fees (PEAK, MOOCs), and revenue from spin-off ventures. There is no public listing; pricing is not publicly disclosed. Customer segments split across Swiss and international government agencies and water utilities (primary), academic institutions including ETH Zurich, University of Zurich, University of Basel, and international partners (primary), and international development organizations working on water/sanitation in developing regions (secondary).

Name

Eawag

Legal name

Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag)

Website

https://eawag.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Eawag is a Swiss federal water research institute within the ETH Domain with 251–500 staff at Dübendorf and Kastanienbaum. It conducts interdisciplinary water research across 12 departments and provides consulting, continuing education, and open-data platforms to governments, utilities, and academia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Research and Aquatic Science Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources, WASH & Integrated Water Management (BPADALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water & Wastewater Compliance (NPDES/Stormwater, Pretreatment, Drinking Water/SDWA) (EUAHABAB), EHS Management Systems & ISO Consulting (ISO 14001/45001) (BPAHAJAF), Data Management, LIMS & Compliance Software (ELN, eDMS, reporting automation) (EUANAJAE)

Keywords

• Water research services
• Aquatic science
• Drinking water treatment
• Wastewater management
• Environmental consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubendorf

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Funding: As part of the ETH Domain (ETH-Bereich), Eawag receives core funding from the Swiss federal government. This constitutes the primary funding source for its research activities.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Eawag is a Swiss federal water research institute that conducts interdisciplinary research on aquatic systems, drinking water, wastewater, and environmental contaminants across 12 specialized departments. It delivers consulting services through competence centers (Ecotox Centre, Quagga Mussel Center, VSA Platforms), offers continuing education programs (PEAK courses, MOOCs, Summer Schools), and publishes open research data and scientific publications. Its primary funding comes from the Swiss federal government as part of the ETH Domain.

Product overview

Eawag is a Swiss Federal water research institute comprising 12 specialized research departments covering aquatic ecology, fish ecology, surface waters, urban water management, systems analysis, environmental chemistry, environmental microbiology, environmental social sciences, environmental toxicology, process engineering, water resources and drinking water, and sanitation for development. The institute offers a unified portfolio of research, consulting services, and educational programs. Consulting services include specialized centers like the Ecotox Centre, Quagga Mussel Competence Center, and PFAS Collaboration. Educational offerings include MOOCs, PEAK practice courses, and Summer Schools. Digital knowledge platforms provide interactive tools, practical resources, and open data portals. Eawag also commercializes research through spin-off companies and provides advisory services for fisheries, water quality, and groundwater management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ecotox Centre (Oekotoxzentrum) Expert center providing toxicological assessment and consulting services for environmental contaminants and pollutants in aquatic systems, serving regulators, industry, and water utilities.
• Competence Center Quagga Mussel Expert center for research and control of invasive quagga mussels in Swiss waters, providing monitoring, advisory, and management services.
• Swiss Rivers Program Program focused on river ecosystem research and conservation in Swiss waterways, supporting federal and cantonal authorities.
• VSA Platform for Micropollutants Process Engineering Platform providing technical guidance on micropollutant treatment processes in water for wastewater treatment plant operators and regulators.
• VSA Platform for Water Quality Platform providing resources and guidance on water quality monitoring and assessment for water professionals and authorities.
• Groundwater Network Network of experts focused on groundwater research and management, serving water authorities and practitioners.
• Translational Centre Biodiversity Conservation Center focused on translating biodiversity conservation research into practical applications for conservation practitioners and policy makers.
• PFAS Collaboration Collaborative initiative addressing PFAS ('forever chemicals') contamination in the environment for regulators, water utilities, and industry.
• Fisheries Advisory Service Advisory service providing expertise on fisheries management and fish ecology to cantonal authorities and fishery professionals.
• Spin-offs of Eawag Commercial ventures spun off from Eawag research to commercialize water technologies developed at the institute.
• Data Portals (ERIC and DORA) Open access data portals (ERIC for research data, DORA for publications) providing water research data and environmental datasets to researchers, practitioners, and the public.
• MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) Massive open online courses on water, sanitation, and environmental topics offered through digital learning platforms to global learners and practitioners.
• PEAK Practice Courses Hands-on practice-oriented courses for continuing education in water management, with reduced fees available for students.
• Summer Schools Intensive summer educational programs on water and environmental topics offered to graduate students and early-career researchers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Research contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Lancaster UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2026Collaborative research partnership on climate change and scientific advocacy. Eawag researchers participated in a major research review examining whether scientific advocacy on climate change strengthens or undermines public trust, published in PLOS Climate.
• University of AmsterdamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2026Joint research collaboration with Eawag researchers on climate change scientific advocacy study published in PLOS Climate, examining the effects of scientist engagement on public trust.
• University of BaselcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2026Collaborative research on climate change impacts on lakes' natural purification processes. Study examined Lake Baldegg and found climate change could weaken denitrification by 8-13 percent.
• ETH ZurichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the ETH Domain (ETH-Bereich) network. Collaborates on joint professorships, academic education, and shared research facilities including the NEST modular research building.
• Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development of the NEST (Modular Research and Innovation Building) and shared sustainability initiatives. Collaborative sustainability officer position shared between Eawag and Empa.
• University of Zurich (UZH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research partnership including joint leadership on global fish biodiversity studies using environmental DNA analysis, in collaboration with Yunnan University.
• Yunnan UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research collaboration on global fish biodiversity analysis using environmental DNA, alongside University of Zurich and Eawag.
• United Nations AgenciescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), through research that supports global water policy objectives.
• Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (BAFU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in biodiversity protection initiatives including the Swiss Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (2025-2030) and environmental monitoring programs.
• Energy Agency for the Economy (EnAW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVoluntary universal target agreement (UZV) on climate protection and energy efficiency with binding targets for CO2 reduction and sustainable energy use.
• Lib4RI (Library for the Research Institutes of the ETH Domain)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartner library consortium for managing and providing access to Eawag publications through the DORA repository system.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• KWR Water Cycle Research Institute: Dutch water research institute with a near-identical public-good mandate covering drinking water, wastewater, and aquatic systems. Operates a comparable mix of applied research, consulting for utilities, and PhD/educational programs, making it the closest structural peer to Eawag.
• IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute: Swedish government-affiliated environmental research institute with research, consulting, and policy advisory work on water, air, and sustainability. Closely mirrors Eawag's combination of research depth and applied consulting for public authorities.
• International Water Management Institute (IWMI): CGIAR-affiliated international water research organization with a global mandate spanning water resources, agriculture, and development. Highly comparable to Eawag's 'sanitation for development' and WASH-aligned international programs.
• IHE Delft Institute for Water Education: UNESCO-affiliated institute specializing in water education, capacity building, and applied research. Comparable to Eawag's PEAK practice courses, MOOCs, Summer Schools, and development-focused research mandate.
• Water Research Australia: Australian water research collaborative supporting utilities and governments with applied water research, monitoring, and capacity building. Mirrors Eawag's role as a national water research platform serving public-sector clients.
• Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology): Sister institute within the ETH Domain that co-develops facilities (e.g., NEST) and shares a sustainability officer with Eawag. Most directly comparable ETH Domain peer, with overlapping infrastructure and federal funding model.
• WSL (Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research): Sister ETH Domain institute covering environmental and landscape research. Shares the federal funding, governance, and infrastructure model with Eawag and conducts adjacent environmental/ecology research that often intersects Eawag's aquatic ecology work.
• Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ): German large-scale environmental research center covering water, soil, and ecosystem research with both fundamental science and applied consulting. Comparable in scale and breadth to Eawag's 12-department research portfolio.

Regional players

• Water Research Commission (South Africa): South African government-funded water research commission focused on water research, capacity building, and supporting developing-country water priorities. Comparable mandate to Eawag but operates in a different geography with different funding mechanisms.

Others

• UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP): UN intergovernmental program coordinating global water research, education, and capacity-building aligned with SDG 6. Functions more as an enabling/coordination platform than a direct research operator, but intersects with Eawag's international water and SDG 6 work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eawag
• Xx.com/EawagResearch

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Eawag