BWK - the environmental engineers

What BWK - the environmental engineers does

BWK (Bund der Ingenieure für Wasserwirtschaft, Abfallwirtschaft und Kulturbau e.V.) is a German technical-scientific professional association founded in 1950 (with predecessor organizations dating to 1904) and headquartered in Lüneburg, Germany. It serves approximately 3,500 personal members and more than 400 supporting (institutional) members — engineers, scientists, public authorities, universities, utilities (Stadtwerke), engineering consultancies, and water/soil associations — across the DACH region, organized into 11 autonomous state associations and more than 50 district groups. The association's mission is to advance the state of science and technology in water management, coastal and flood protection, waste management, cultural construction, soil protection, and environmental engineering, and to represent its members' interests in technical rule-making bodies including DIN (since 1942) and DFG (since 2020).

BWK's product portfolio is integrated around professional knowledge rather than software-as-a-service. Core offerings include: (1) BWK Verena21, a desktop hydrological-simulation software sold in four editions (Demo, Lehr, Lite, Vollversion) for immission-oriented rainwater and mixed-wastewater discharge verification; (2) the BWK-Regelwerk, a continuously maintained library of Arbeitsblätter, Merkblätter, and technical reports; (3) the WASSER UND ABFALL professional journal, published 10 times per year and distributed via Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden; (4) a recurring event portfolio — the annual Bundeskongress, Küstentag, and Elbetag, plus biennial/triennial Rheintag, Donautag, and Odertag; (5) the BWK App (iOS/Android) integrating VerbandOnline event management and member communication; and (6) three award programs — Deutscher Wasserbaupreis, BWK-Förderpreis, and BWK Publikationspreis.

The business model combines recurring membership dues (individual + institutional tiers, including a free 12-month trial), one-time software and publication licensing via the BWK online shop, training-event and seminar fees (member-discounted), Springer-mediated journal royalties and advertising, and job-board listings through the BWK Stellenmarkt. Distribution runs through BWK's own e-commerce storefront, the 11 state-association network, direct event sales, and Springer Professional for journal reach. The association is member-governed, politically and economically independent, and operates without subsidiaries or external investment.

Name

BWK - the environmental engineers

Legal name

Bund der Ingenieure für Wasserwirtschaft, Abfallwirtschaft und Kulturbau (BWK) e.V.

Website

https://bwk-bund.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BWK is a German technical-scientific professional association serving roughly 3,500 engineers, scientists, and 400+ institutional members in water management, waste management, cultural construction, and environmental engineering across the DACH region, generating revenue from membership dues, publications, the Verena21 hydrology software, training events, and technical rule-making.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lüneburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: BWK generates primary revenue through membership dues from approximately 3,500 personal members and 400+ supporting (institutional) members. Membership fees provide access to publications, training discounts, and member services.
2. Professional Journal Publishing: BWK publishes the professional journal 'Wasser und Abfall' (10 issues per year) and receives revenue from its publication activities through Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden GmbH as publisher. Members receive the journal free as part of membership.
3. Software Sales and Licensing: BWK Verena21 software is sold in multiple versions (Demo/Lite/Vollversion) with different feature limitations and pricing through the BWK shop, generating revenue from technical software licensing.
4. Technical Publications and Rule Sales: Sale of BWK rule books (Arbeitsblätter, Merkblätter), technical reports, and specialist publications through the BWK shop.
5. Training Events and Seminars: Revenue from training events, seminars, congresses, and webinars including the Bundeskongress, with discounted member pricing providing additional incentive for membership.
6. Job Market Advertising: Online job marketplace generates advertising revenue from companies posting job listings. Supporting members receive discounted or free job listing rates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

BWK is a German technical-scientific professional association serving engineers and scientists in water management, waste management, cultural construction, and environmental engineering. It delivers membership services, technical rules and guidelines (BWK-Regelwerk), the BWK Verena21 hydrological calculation software, the Wasser und Abfall professional journal, annual federal and regional water-body conferences, continuing education seminars, technical awards, an online job market, and youth outreach programs (Junges Forum).

Product overview

BWK (Bund der Ingenieure für Wasserwirtschaft, Abfallwirtschaft und Kulturbau) is a technically-scientific professional association — not a software-as-a-service company — whose 'products and services' are centered on professional knowledge resources, specialized software, publications, events, awards, and continuing education. The core offerings include: (1) BWK Verena21 software — a desktop hydrological calculation application available in four editions (Evaluations-/Lehr-/Lite-/Vollversion) for stormwater and wastewater discharge verification; (2) the BWK App, a mobile application for event management and member communication; (3) the BWK-Regelwerk, a body of technical guidelines covering water management, hydraulic engineering, and environmental protection; (4) the journal WASSER UND ABFALL published 10× yearly; (5) the annual Bundeskongress conference and four regional Gewässertage (Küstentag, Rheintag, Elbetag, Odertag, Donautag); (6) three award programs — Deutscher Wasserbaupreis, BWK-Förderpreis, and BWK Publikationspreis; (7) a nationwide continuing education program; (8) the Umwelt: Dein ZukunftsDing youth recruitment initiative; (9) the online Stellenmarkt job board; and (10) the Junges Forum networking platform. These offerings form an integrated ecosystem serving engineers and scientists across water management, waste management, and environmental engineering in the DACH region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wasser und Abfall: The professional journal of BWK, published 10 times per year, covering topics in water, waste, law, soil, and energy.
• Junges Forum
• Umwelt: Dein ZukunftsDing

Products and services

• BWK Membership (Personal and Supporting)
• BWK Verena21 Software
• BWK App
• Wasser und Abfall (Professional Journal)
• BWK-Regelwerk (Technical Standards and Guidelines)
• BWK Bundeskongress (Annual Federal Congress)
• BWK Regional Water-Body Conferences (Küstentag, Rheintag, Elbetag, Donautag, Odertag)
• BWK Continuing Education Program (Fort- und Weiterbildung)
• Deutscher Wasserbaupreis (German Hydraulic Engineering Prize)
• BWK-Förderpreis (BWK Sponsorship Prize)

Quantifiable outcome

• BWK offers 10 issues per year of the 'Wasser und Abfall' professional journal
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Bundesverband der Kleingartenvereine Deutschlands e.V. (BKD)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 December 2026The umbrella organization of German allotment gardeners signed a cooperation agreement with BWK on December 15, 2026, aiming for mutual exchange of experience and knowledge for members and professionals and mutual support in soil, water, and climate protection.
• Hafentechnische Gesellschaft (HTG) e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 September 2025HTG and BWK signed a cooperation agreement on September 18, 2025, during the 40th Federal Congress in Bremerhaven. Both organizations have over 100-year histories and will provide a joint platform for exchange of experience and expertise, mutual support at national and international training events, and promotion of joint member activities. Members of both associations can participate in each other's events at member rates.
• HochwasserKompetenzCentrum e.V. (HKC)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023HKC brings together flood-affected individuals, policymakers, scientists, and various flood protection stakeholders. At the 2023 BWK Federal Congress, HKC and BWK signed a cooperation agreement regulating collaboration in training, conferences, congresses, and exhibitions.
• Stowarzyszenie Inżynierów i Techników Wodnych i Melioracyjnych (SITWM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Polish Association of Water and Land Improvement Engineers and Technicians. The directorium of SITWM and the federal board of BWK signed a cooperation agreement in 2022. Jointly organize the triennial BWK Odertag (Oder River Day), alternating between BWK state associations and SITWM.
• Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft e.V. (DFG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Germany's research funding organization. Since 2020, BWK exercises subject-specific nomination rights for the specialist committees in Water Research and Civil Engineering and Architecture.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Limnologie e.V. (DGL)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 February 2003DGL aims to implement ecological considerations in water management and water protection. On February 9, 2003, the presidents of DGL and BWK signed a cooperation agreement.
• Fachsektion Hydrogeologie der Deutschen Geologischen Gesellschaft e.V. (FH-DGGV)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003FH-DGGV promotes communication and cooperation among groundwater professionals. The executive boards of FH-DGGV and BWK signed a cooperation agreement in 2003.
• Deutsche Vereinigung für Wasserwirtschaft, Abwasser und Abfall e.V. (DWA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000DWA emerged from the merger of ATV and DVWK in 2000. It works intensively on safe and sustainable water management. BWK cooperates with DWA on technical rule development and publishes joint guidance sheets (e.g., DWA-A/M 102, BWK-A/M 3).
• Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1942BWK has been represented in DIN technical committees since 1942. BWK is a member of the advisory board of the Standards Committee Waterwesen (NAW), which establishes the work program of the standards committee.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fachsektion Hydrogeologie der DGGV (FH-DGGV): Specialist section of the German Geological Society for hydrogeology. FH-DGGV has maintained a cooperation agreement with BWK since 2003 and shares subject matter in groundwater, water management, and applied hydrogeology research.
• Hafentechnische Gesellschaft (HTG) e.V. German port and harbor technology society focused on maritime infrastructure, coastal engineering, and hydraulic engineering. HTG signed a cooperation agreement with BWK in September 2025 and shares overlapping subject matter in coastal protection, flood management, and hydraulic engineering.
• DWA (Deutsche Vereinigung für Wasserwirtschaft, Abwasser und Abfall): Germany's largest technical-scientific association for water management, wastewater, and waste. DWA emerged from the 2000 ATV/DVWK merger and serves an overlapping member base of engineers, scientists, and public authorities in the same water/waste sector as BWK; the two co-publish joint guidance sheets such as DWA-A/M 102 and BWK-A/M 3.
• DVGW (Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches): German technical-scientific association for gas and water. DVGW serves engineers and operators in water supply and gas distribution, overlapping with BWK on water-sector technical rule-making and serving similar engineering professionals in adjacent utilities.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Limnologie (DGL) e.V. German scientific society for freshwater research and management. DGL signed a cooperation agreement with BWK in 2003 and overlaps in surface water ecology and water protection subject areas.

Others

• DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung): Germany's national standards body. DIN is not a peer association but a regulatory partner in which BWK has held a seat on technical committees since 1942, representing BWK's influence in technical standardization rather than serving overlapping members.

Broad incumbents

• IWA (International Water Association): International umbrella organization for water professionals spanning research, utilities, and engineering. IWA is a global peer operating at a different geographic scale but in the same water sector subject area as BWK.
• VDI (Verein Deutscher Ingenieure): Germany's largest engineering association covering all engineering disciplines. VDI is a much larger and more diversified peer; it overlaps with BWK only for environmental engineers within its much broader membership and standards portfolio.

Regional players

• AWWA (American Water Works Association): Largest North American water utility and engineering association. AWWA is a comparable professional association for water-sector engineers and operators but operates primarily in the US/Canada market rather than in BWK's DACH territory.
• Water Environment Federation (WEF): US-based professional association for water quality and wastewater professionals. WEF serves a similar member base of water/wastewater engineers but in the North American market rather than DACH.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/bwk_bund
• Facebookfacebook.com/BWK.Umwelt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bwk-umwelt
• Xx.com/BWK_eV

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BWK - the environmental engineers