ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach
ÖVGW is Austria's 1881-founded professional association for the gas and water sectors, providing state-accredited Wassermeister certifications, technical guidelines, training, and industry events. It serves water utilities, gas network operators, municipalities, and certified professionals nationwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1880
- HeadquartersVienna, Austria
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach does
ÖVGW (Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach) is the Austrian professional association for the gas and water supply sectors, founded around 1880–1881 and headquartered in Vienna. It operates two main divisions — Gas and Water — and serves as the national standards-setting, certification, and training body for Austrian utilities. Its core offerings include the state-accredited Wassermeister (Water Master) certification program, a comprehensive library of ÖVGW-Richtlinien technical guidelines (covering topics such as crisis management, pipe layer certification, and operating/maintenance manuals), continuing education programs, and industry events including the annual ÖVGW Kongress und Fachmesse Gas Wasser in Salzburg and a series of regional Infotage Trinkwasser across Austrian federal states.
Underlying technology is modest and execution-focused rather than differentiated: a Moodle-based ÖVGW Academy e-learning platform delivers online refreshing courses, paired with webcam-proctored online examinations for Wassermeister certificate renewal. Event registration and course administration are handled through web-based event management tooling. Distribution leverages a partner network spanning WIFI and BFI training institutes, TÜV Austria, regional utilities (Linz AG, Holding Graz, Vorarlberger Energienetze, Energienetze Steiermark), and state government agencies, allowing ÖVGW to deliver in-person training across all Austrian states without owning venues.
The revenue model is diversified across five streams: recurring membership fees from gas/water utilities, municipalities, and engineering firms; paid training and education programs (with ~30–35% member discounts); Wassermeister certification and recertification fees; event organization including the annual congress and regional information days; and publications including the Forum Gas Wasser Wärme journal. ÖVGW is a membership-based Verein (association) under Austrian law, is not publicly traded, has no disclosed parent company or funding rounds, and does not publish financial results. Its strategic agenda has expanded beyond traditional standards work into advocacy on green gas/hydrogen transition (Wasserstoff-Startnetz, €3.5B investment call) and climate-driven drinking water infrastructure investment (Wasservision 2100, €12.8B value-creation framing).
ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach
- Legal name
- Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach
- Website
- https://ovgw.at
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1880
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ÖVGW is Austria's 1881-founded professional association for the gas and water sectors, providing state-accredited Wassermeister certifications, technical guidelines, training, and industry events. It serves water utilities, gas network operators, municipalities, and certified professionals nationwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Association & Industry Certification Services (Gas and Water Utilities)
- NAICS
- Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)
- SIC
- Water Supply (4941), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Oil & Gas Field Services, Nec (1389)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Backflow Device Testing & Certification (HSAOALAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Gas Measurement & Regulation Engineering (Sizing, Design, Standards Compliance) (EUAJAKAH)
Keywords
Where ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vienna
- HQ country
- Austria
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from gas and water supply companies, municipalities, and associated organizations. Benefits include reduced rates for training, certification, and access to member portal.
- Training and Education Programs: Revenue from intensive courses (Wassermeister-Schulungen), workshops, seminars, and regional training events. Pricing varies by program complexity and duration, with member discounts of approximately 30-35%.
- Certification Fees: Fees for Wassermeister certification examinations, refreshing courses, and certificate renewals. Includes both online and in-person examination options.
- Event Organization: Revenue from annual congress (ÖVGW Kongress), regional information days, and specialized seminars including exhibition and sponsorship components.
- Publications: Forum Gas Wasser Wärme journal (130+ years of archives) and specialized technical publications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Werkleitertagung 2026 - 2-day conference in Klagenfurt |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Wasserqualität – Eigenüberwachung seminar in Linz |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Refreshing-Kurs Steiermark - half-day recertification course |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Wassermeister-Schulung Wien - 5-day intensive certification prep |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Infotag Trinkwasser NÖ - regional information day |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Metallrohrleger Wasser - 2-day pipe layer certification |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | UV-Desinfektionsanlagen seminar |
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | Online-Refreshing-Kurs & Prüfung - quarterly online recertification |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels6 records
ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ÖVGW is the Austrian professional association for the gas and water supply industries, providing state-accredited professional certifications (notably the Wassermeister Water Master program), a comprehensive library of technical guidelines (ÖVGW-Richtlinien) for gas and water infrastructure, in-person and online training courses, regional and national industry events, and the Forum Gas Wasser Wärme journal. Its offerings are aimed at gas network operators, water utilities, municipalities, installation companies, engineering offices, and individual certified professionals in Austria.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Forum Gas Wasser Wärme: The association's professional journal that bridges research and practice in the gas, water, and heating sectors, featuring content from the past 130 years of publication.
Products and services
- Wassermeister Certification Program (ÖVGW-Zertifizierungsprogramm W 10/1) State-accredited professional certification for Wassermeister (Water Master) practitioners, mandated under the Austrian Trinkwasserverordnung. Certificate is valid for 5 years and requires 45 continuing-education points per cycle. Includes intensive Wassermeister-Schulung preparation (5-day course, e.g., €1,080 members / €1,420 non-members in Vienna) plus the examination itself. Target audience: water utility operators, municipal water staff, and individual professionals responsible for drinking water supply operations.
- Online Refreshing Course & Examination (Online-Refreshing-Kurs & Prüfung) Quarterly online recertification offering on the ÖVGW Academy E-Learning Platform, including e-learning access and webcam-proctored examination for Wassermeister certificate renewal. Priced at €455 for ÖVGW members / €595 for non-members (excl. 20% MWSt). For certified Wassermeister practitioners needing to fulfill continuing-education requirements within their 5-year cycle.
- Metal Pipe Layer Certification (Metallrohrleger Wasser) Two-day certification course qualifying installers to lay metal pipes in water infrastructure per ÖVGW guidelines. Priced at €785 for ÖVGW members / €1,025 for non-members (excl. 20% MWSt), including materials, refreshments, lunch, and certification. Targeted at installation and construction companies working on drinking water infrastructure.
- Plastic Pipe Layer Certification (Kunststoffrohrleger) Certification course for plastic pipe installation in water and gas infrastructure, governed by ÖVGW-Richtlinie GO 322 / W 106. Delivered through partner networks including WIFI Austria (Tirol, Kärnten, Linz, Salzburg, Steiermark, St. Pölten), BFI (Burgenland, Niederösterreich), TÜV Austria (Vienna), Vorarlberger Energienetze (Bregenz), and Energienetze Steiermark (Graz, Bruck an der Mur). For installation and construction firms requiring certified pipe layers.
- ÖVGW Technical Guidelines (ÖVGW-Richtlinien) Comprehensive library of technical standards and guidelines for Austrian gas and water supply infrastructure, including W 74 (Crisis Management), W 85 (Operating and Maintenance Manual), W 108 (Metal Pipe Layers), and GO 322/W 106 (Plastic Pipe Layers). Available through the ÖVGW shop and member portal. Target audience: water utilities, gas network operators, engineering and planning offices, installation companies, and government authorities.
- Forum Gas Wasser Wärme (Professional Journal) ÖVGW's professional journal bridging research and practice in the gas, water, and heating sectors, with current editions and a 130+ year archive. Distributed to members and subscribers. Target audience: gas and water industry professionals, engineering offices, utilities, and policy stakeholders.
- Wasserqualität – Eigenüberwachung Seminar Specialized seminar on water quality self-monitoring for water supply staff. Held in Linz in partnership with Linz AG, priced at €410 for ÖVGW members / €540 for non-members (excl. 20% MWSt). Includes seminar materials, refreshments, and lunch. For water utility operators responsible for self-monitoring of drinking water quality.
- UV-Desinfektionsanlagen Seminar Specialized seminar on UV disinfection systems in drinking water treatment, priced at €400 for ÖVGW members / €525 for non-members (excl. 20% MWSt). For water utility operators and engineers responsible for disinfection system selection, operation, and maintenance.
Quantifiable outcome
- Water infrastructure investments generate €12.8 billion in value creation for Austrian economy
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.
- Energie- und Umweltagentur Niederösterreich (eNu)coreCo-organization of Infotag Trinkwasser NÖ (Drinking Water Information Day Lower Austria), held annually at WIFI St. Pölten. Combines ÖVGW technical expertise with eNu's energy and environmental mission for sustainable water management.
- Plattform Wasser BurgenlandregionalAnnual organization of Infotag Trinkwasser Burgenland, bringing together water supply professionals from cities, municipalities, water associations, and cooperatives in Burgenland.
- Kärntner VerwaltungsakademieregionalCo-organization of Infotag Trinkwasser Kärnten at Congress Center Villach, serving water supply professionals throughout Carinthia.
- Steirischer WasserversorgungsverbandregionalCo-organization of Infotag Trinkwasser Steiermark, serving water supply professionals in Styria at Steinhalle Lannach.
- Land Vorarlberg - Abteilung WasserwirtschaftregionalCo-organization of Infotag Trinkwasser Vorarlberg, held at Hofsteigsaal Lauterach, serving water supply professionals in Vorarlberg.
- WIFI Austria (Wirtschaftsförderungsinstitut)coreNetwork of training partners across Austrian states for Kunststoffrohrleger (plastic pipe layer) certification courses. Locations include WIFI Tirol, WIFI Kärnten, WIFI Linz, WIFI Salzburg, WIFI Steiermark, and WIFI St. Pölten.
- BFI Austria (Berufsförderungsinstitut)regionalTraining partner for Kunststoffrohrleger courses in Burgenland (Großpetersdorf) and Niederösterreich (Waidhofen/Ybbs).
- Linz AGcoreTraining venue provider and technical content contributor for water quality seminars (Wasserqualität – Eigenüberwachung) and Metallrohrleger courses. Speakers from Linz AG - Institut für Wasseraufbereitung contribute to educational content.
- Holding GrazcoreTraining venue provider for Wassermeister-Schulung Steiermark and Refreshing-Kurse at Wasserwerkgasse location. Contributing technical expertise through Holding Graz staff for training delivery.
- TÜV Austria GmbHregionalAuthorized training partner for Kunststoffrohrleger certification at TÜV Austria location in Vienna (Deutschstraße 10, 1230 Wien).
- Vorarlberger Energienetze GmbHregionalRegional training partner for Kunststoffrohrleger certification at Vorarlberger Energienetze location in Bregenz.
- Energienetze Steiermark GmbHregionalRegional training partner for Kunststoffrohrleger certification at multiple locations in Styria (Graz and Bruck an der Mur).
- ecoversum (Daniela Schwarzbauer)regionalExternal organizer for Wasserwartkurs (water caretaker courses) in Styria, providing training services for facilities serving 10-100m³ daily.
- Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft, Energie und TourismuscoreState accreditation authority for ÖVGW certification programs. Mandates recurring certification examinations for all state-accredited personnel certifications per ordinance.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- IWA - International Water Association: Global network of water professionals and organizations covering research, best practice, and standards. Overlaps with ÖVGW's Wasser division at the standards and knowledge-transfer level, but operates internationally rather than nationally.
- AWWA - American Water Works Association: The largest US-based water industry association, providing standards, certification, and education for drinking water professionals. Comparable scope to ÖVGW's water division but operating at much greater scale and in a different regulatory context.
Regional players
- EurEau - European Federation of National Water Services: European-level federation representing national water industry associations including those in Austria. Comparable industry-representation function for water utilities, with a policy and regulatory focus at EU level rather than national certification.
- Eurogas: European gas industry association representing gas wholesalers, distributors, and related organizations. Comparable to ÖVGW's Gas division in industry representation, though focused on EU-level policy rather than national technical standards.
- Water UK: UK water industry trade association representing major water companies. Comparable industry-representation and policy-advocacy role to ÖVGW's Wasser division, though Water UK focuses on utility-level representation rather than individual professional certification.
Direct peers
- SVGW - Schweizerischer Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches: Swiss national association for gas and water professionals, structurally identical to ÖVGW in mission, governance, and product set (guidelines, certifications, training). Closest direct peer within the DACH region.
- DVGW - Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches: German national technical-scientific association for gas and water, the direct cross-border equivalent of ÖVGW. Both associations set technical guidelines, certify professionals, and serve as the recognized standards body for their respective country's gas and water industries.
- FIGAWA - Fachverband für Gas- und Wasseranlagen: German industry association for gas and water installations, fittings, and equipment manufacturers. Comparable mission of representing industry interests, setting technical standards, and providing professional development in the gas/water domain.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach social profiles
Digital presenceÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach
What does ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach do?
ÖVGW is the Austrian professional association for the gas and water supply industries, providing state-accredited professional certifications (notably the Wassermeister Water Master program), a comprehensive library of technical guidelines (ÖVGW-Richtlinien) for gas and water infrastructure, in-person and online training courses, regional and national industry events, and the Forum Gas Wasser Wärme journal. Its offerings are aimed at gas network operators, water utilities, municipalities, installation companies, engineering offices, and individual certified professionals in Austria.
Is ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach a public or private company?
ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach founded?
ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach was founded in 1880. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach based?
ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, in the Europe region.
How does ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are training and Education Programs, certification Fees, event Organization and publications.
Who are ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are IWA - International Water Association and AWWA - American Water Works Association. Regional players are EurEau - European Federation of National Water Services, Eurogas and Water UK. Direct peers are SVGW - Schweizerischer Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches, DVGW - Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches and FIGAWA - Fachverband für Gas- und Wasseranlagen.
Does ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach have an API?
No public API is recorded for ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach.
What industry is ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach in?
ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach's product category is Professional Association & Industry Certification Services (Gas and Water Utilities). Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAOALAA, Backflow Device Testing & Certification, with a secondary code of EUAJAKAH, Gas Measurement & Regulation Engineering (Sizing, Design, Standards Compliance). Its NAICS code is 541380 and its SIC code is 4941.