Institute for Urban Water Engineering, Water Quality and Solid Waste Management (ISWA)

Since the 1950s, the Institute for Urban Water Engineering, Water Quality, and Waste Management (ISWA) at the University of Stuttgart has been addressing key issues in water and environmental research—long before environmental protection was established as a distinct field of activity. Founded by Prof. Franz Pöpel, the institute has grown into one of the largest and most renowned institutions of its kind in Europe, with approximately 120 employees.

At ISWA, scientists work across disciplines to find solutions to current challenges such as climate change, pollutant inputs, resource conservation, and sustainable water management. In addition to experimental research and practical process development, the use of artificial intelligence methods is becoming increasingly important—for example, in data analysis, process optimization, and the modeling of complex environmental systems.

A central component of the institute is the Büsnau Teaching and Research Water Treatment Plant (LFKW), which enables research under real-world operating conditions and fosters a close connection between science and practice.