The Heinrich-Sontheimer-Laboratory< Back

The HSL has its roots in the „Research Group Sontheimer“, where Heinrich Sontheimer continued his scientific activities after his retirement as professor for water chemistry and head of the DVGW research institute at the Engler-Bunte-Institut of the University of Karlsruhe in 1987. In numerous projects he worked on solutions for practical problems in the field of drinking water treatment, the center of his interests being activated carbon adsorption.

In the early ninetees Heinrich Sontheimer himself suggested to expand his group by integrating further scientific and practical advisors and connecting it to the newly founded Water Technology Center (TZW). After his death in 1994, this idea had to be translated into life without him. As a tribute to Heinrich Sontheimer, the idea was to establish a research laboratory at the TZW, where young scientists can work on practical problems in the water field. Thus, on November 28, 1995 at the water works "Durlacher Wald" of the Stadtwerke Karlsruhe GmbH the "Heinrich Sontheimer Laboratory for Water Technology (HSL)" was officially opened.

In close cooperation with the TZW headquarter and the Stadtwerke Karlsruhe GmbH, in the HSL various research projects in the areas of water analytics, water treatment, and water distribution have been carried out since then, mostly in connection with doctoral or diploma theses. Additionally, there have been project management activities in the form of coordination projects in the framework of big research foci of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The scientific direction of the HSL is performed by a steering committee consisting of the Managing Director of the TZW, the Technical Director of the Stadtwerke Karlsruhe GmbH, and the advisors of the scientific projects. The steering committee nominates a Managing Officer within the HSL who is in charge of the organizational and financial tasks. The scientific projects are mainly financed from research grants by BMBF, DVGW, and Stadtwerke Karlsruhe GmbH in particular.