ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach

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).

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

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 industry

PRIMARYHSAOALAA

Backflow Device Testing & Certification

Home & Personal Services/Plumbing, Electrical & HVAC Services/Backflow Testing, Prevention & Compliance

SECONDARYEUAJAKAH

Gas Measurement & Regulation Engineering (Sizing, Design, Standards Compliance)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Gas Utilities (Distribution)/Gas Metering and Regulation Services

Keywords

• Water supply certification
• Gas industry standards
• Professional association services
• Utility training programs
• Technical guidelines publishing

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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%.
3. Certification Fees: Fees for Wassermeister certification examinations, refreshing courses, and certificate renewals. Includes both online and in-person examination options.
4. Event Organization: Revenue from annual congress (ÖVGW Kongress), regional information days, and specialized seminars including exhibition and sponsorship components.
5. Publications: Forum Gas Wasser Wärme journal (130+ years of archives) and specialized technical publications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.

• Energie- und Umweltagentur Niederösterreich (eNu)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 November 2026Co-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 BurgenlandregionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 November 2026Annual organization of Infotag Trinkwasser Burgenland, bringing together water supply professionals from cities, municipalities, water associations, and cooperatives in Burgenland.
• Kärntner VerwaltungsakademieregionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 November 2026Co-organization of Infotag Trinkwasser Kärnten at Congress Center Villach, serving water supply professionals throughout Carinthia.
• Steirischer WasserversorgungsverbandregionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2026Co-organization of Infotag Trinkwasser Steiermark, serving water supply professionals in Styria at Steinhalle Lannach.
• Land Vorarlberg - Abteilung WasserwirtschaftregionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Co-organization of Infotag Trinkwasser Vorarlberg, held at Hofsteigsaal Lauterach, serving water supply professionals in Vorarlberg.
• WIFI Austria (Wirtschaftsförderungsinstitut)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork 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)regionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining partner for Kunststoffrohrleger courses in Burgenland (Großpetersdorf) and Niederösterreich (Waidhofen/Ybbs).
• Linz AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining 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 GrazcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining venue provider for Wassermeister-Schulung Steiermark and Refreshing-Kurse at Wasserwerkgasse location. Contributing technical expertise through Holding Graz staff for training delivery.
• TÜV Austria GmbHregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized training partner for Kunststoffrohrleger certification at TÜV Austria location in Vienna (Deutschstraße 10, 1230 Wien).
• Vorarlberger Energienetze GmbHregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional training partner for Kunststoffrohrleger certification at Vorarlberger Energienetze location in Bregenz.
• Energienetze Steiermark GmbHregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional training partner for Kunststoffrohrleger certification at multiple locations in Styria (Graz and Bruck an der Mur).
• ecoversum (Daniela Schwarzbauer)regionalImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExternal organizer for Wasserwartkurs (water caretaker courses) in Styria, providing training services for facilities serving 10-100m³ daily.
• Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft, Energie und TourismuscoreOthersState 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

Broad 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/%C3%B6vgw

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 ÖVGW - Österreichische Vereinigung für das Gas- und Wasserfach