13. February 2026, Topic: Aquatic Ecotoxicology

Webinar: Bioassays for drinking water assessment on 24.2.2026, 14.30-16.00

A series of webinars organised by the German Water Chemistry Society highlights the opportunities and possibilities of bioassays for assessing water quality. The Ecotox Centre is hosting the third webinar on the use of effect-based methods for testing of drinking water.

Water resources are under pressure - everyone involved is becoming more aware of this from year to year. As the challenges in the water sector continue, new regulations are emerging and new testing methods are being developed and used, the ‘(Eco)Toxicological Effects’ expert group of the Water Chemistry Society's research committee invites all practitioners, authorities, researchers and local authorities involved with water and its quality to a free webinar series. Under the motto: ‘Don't be afraid of bioassays: effect-based methods in water quality assessment’, the opportunities and possibilities of bioassays for assessing water quality will be demonstrated.

The Ecotox Centre is hosting the third webinar on the topic

"Einsatz von effektbasierten Tests im Trinkwasserbereich" (in German)

on Tuesday, 24.2.2026, 14.30-16.00 Uhr

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/93541117639?pwd=ddV4u1zswFuTwmn4Skg4dbwFb5RFEa.1
Passcode: 748920

Program

14.30 - 14.40	Begrüssung und Einführung	Jochen Kuckelkorn (Umweltbundesamt) und Dr. Regina Gnirss (Berliner Wasserbetriebe)
14.40 - 14.50	Ethische Aspekte der Trinkwasserversorgung: Verantwortung, Vertrauen, Vorsorgeprinzip	Prof. Dr. Thomas Potthast  (Universität Tübingen - Lehrstuhl für Ethik, Theorie und Geschichte der Biowissenschaften)
14.50 - 15.10	Das GOW-Konzept – graue Theorie oder gelebte Praxis?	Jochen Kuckelkorn (Umweltbundesamt – Toxikologie des Trink- und Badebeckenwassers)
15.10 - 15.30	Überwachung der Trinkwassergewinnung mit effektbasierten Tests aus Sicht eines Fernwasserversorgers	Markus Flöhrs (Zweckverband Landeswasserversorgung)
15.30 - 15.50	Vertrauen Sie mir, ich mache Biotests - Risikowahrnehmung und Kommunikation	Dr. Thomas-Benjamin Seiler   (Hygiene-Institut des Ruhrgebiets - Institut für Umwelthygiene und Toxikologie)
15.50 - 16.00	Schlussdiskussion und Abschied	Dr. Regina Gnirss   (Berliner Wasserbetriebe)

The free webinar is open to anyone interested in learning about developments in the water sector (wastewater, surface water and drinking water) and effect-based methods. In addition to experiences, opportunities and limitations will also be discussed. We hope that there will be broad interest from authorities, district offices and local authorities. Please pass on this invitation to others.

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Future Webinars

26.02.2026: Quality monitoring in surface waters – possibilities and limitations of effect-based methods (in English)