Water industry meets for the fifth time in Hof

On May 14 and 15, 2025, the DVGW Wassertreff Hof took place for the fifth time in the Upper Franconian city of Hof. 50 exhibitors and around 200 participants discussed current water supply topics.

Water knows no borders - this was also evident in the parking lot of the Freiheitshalle Hof, where vehicles from numerous regions of Germany were on display. A particularly large number of guests came from Bavaria, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Hesse and Baden-Württemberg. Together with 50 exhibitors, they accepted the invitation from the Bavarian and Central German regional groups of the DVGW, the city of Hof and the main sponsor of the event, WILO SE. The company operates a plant in Hof with over 500 employees.

Factory tour at WILO

Compared to previous events, the concept was slightly adapted and made more varied. WILO SE kicked off the event with a tour of the Hof plant. In his presentation, Mario Hübner, WILO SE plant Hof and partner of the Wassertreff, covered everything from the history of the site to the current, ultra-modern product portfolio. Afterwards, the more than one hundred participants were given a tour of the plant to get an idea of the site's capabilities.

Current challenges

Back in the Freiheitshalle Hof, Robert Scherer and Florian Reißmann, Managing Directors of the Bavarian and Central German regional groups of the DVGW, opened the 5th Wassertreff Hof. In the first session, representatives of ministries and companies from Bavaria and Central Germany spoke about current challenges in water supply. Discussions included the effects of climate change, the personnel situation in the industry, digitalization and structural differences between the federal states - for example in terms of company size.

The final presentation of the first day dealt with the role of artificial intelligence in the world of work. Dr. Julia König from Ehrenmüller GmbH gave a practical presentation on the opportunities and risks of using AI in companies.

The first day of the event ended with the Hof Water Night - with good conversations and an atmospheric ambience. The ballroom of the Freiheitshalle - bathed in blue light - provided the perfect setting. The women's cabaret "INTAKT" from Hof also provided entertainment.

Universities present themselves

The second day began with a welcome address from Mayor Eva Döhla. She reported on current discussions in the Hof City Council on safe water supply and wastewater disposal and pointed out that this topic is now being perceived much more consciously than it was a few years ago.

This was followed by further specialist presentations and discussions - for example on the Drinking Water Catchment Area Ordinance, the protection of raw water resources and the handling of pollutants such as PFAS. In addition to the specialist presentations, the exchange with the exhibitors also provided valuable impetus. During the lunch break, the universities from Hof and Dresden also presented themselves and their students as part of the accompanying exhibition and provided insights into their current research projects.

The city of Hof was delighted to once again host the DVGW Wassertreff. Short distances, the close link between the trade exhibition, catering and lectures as well as the personal contact between the participants made the new concept particularly effective. The "Blue Water Night" also proved to be an ideal opportunity to deepen networks.

Next meeting in 2027

The DVGW Wassertreff is an integral part of Hof's profile as a water competence location and contributes to the further development of this role. The Kompetenznetzwerk Wasser und Energie e.V. was also represented with its own stand and was able to enter into an exchange with experts and make new contacts.

One thing is already certain: the 6th Wassertreff Hof will take place again in the Freiheitshalle Hof in 2027. The exact date is yet to be announced.