We are the Ruhr District Institute of Hygiene

In the heart of the Ruhr area and active worldwide

In our densely populated region with more than 5 million people, hygiene is a real challenge. Drinking water supply and wastewater treatment, waste disposal and contaminated sites, product testing, and product recycling: all this requires our utmost attention. In the Ruhr region, in Europe, and also worldwide.

Our history is our mission

The founding of the Hygiene Institute at the beginning of the 20th century can be traced back to Robert Koch. When a typhus epidemic claimed many victims in Gelsenkirchen in late summer 1901, Koch demanded drastic measures to improve and monitor water quality. As early as May 1902, the newly founded Hygiene Institute began its work under the umbrella of an independent supporting association.

Competent and independent

With its ideal combination of experience, expertise, and independence, the Hygiene Institute is one of the largest and most modern institutions of its kind in Europe.

Our tradition is our commitment. You can rely on it.

Preventive environmental and health protection

The focal points of our work are the critical (environmental) issues of our time, which are crucial for our modern society. Environmental protection and consumer health protection are priority work areas of our institute. We regularly test natural resources (water, soil, air). We detect building pollutants and other contaminants. And we test products before they are launched on the market to prevent adverse effects on drinking water or food and protect people's health.

Use our website

You can find information about our institute and its supporting association under "The Institute". Details on our range of services await you under "Our services".

Our laboratories are accredited according to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018; we are a recognized drinking water testing laboratory. Details under "Quality without compromise".

The fastest way for us to respond to inquiries is by e-mail. We will be happy to prepare an offer tailored to your requirements.

We are exhibiting at SETAC Europe 2025!

Hyg will be there – we are delighted to be exhibiting at SETAC Europe 2025!

From May 11 to 15, 2025, international experts will gather in Vienna to discuss the latest developments in environmental science and analysis – and we will be right there in the thick of things.

Visit us at booth no. 42 and learn more about our work in environmental analysis, ecotoxicology, and more. We look forward to exciting discussions, new ideas, and exchanges with colleagues from research and industry.

📍 Booth no. 42
📅 May 11–15, 2025 – SETAC Europe

Chemical technician, chemical technical assistant (CTA) or chemical laboratory assistant (m/f/d)

We are looking for a Chemical technician, chemical technical assistant (CTA) or chemical laboratory assistant (m/f/d) for our Water Hygiene Materials Testing department to start as soon as possible.

You can find all the details of the job advertisement here.

Please send your detailed application to bewerbung@hyg.de.

Chemical laboratory technician/ CTA (m/f/d)

We are looking for a Chemical Laboratory Technician/CTA (m/f/d) for our Water Hygiene Materials Testing department to start as soon as possible.

You can find all the details of the job advertisement here.

Please send your detailed application to bewerbung@hyg.de.

Introducing: Our “Environmental Microbiology and Water Hygiene” department

We are pleased to introduce the new head of department, Dr. Nicole Knabe. The department will, of course, continue to be your competent point of contact for microbiological examinations of water-bearing technical systems and drinking water hygiene.

In particular, the focus is on preventive examinations for the presence of legionella in central drinking water heating and distribution systems in public and commercial facilities.

We support you in implementing the requirements that apply under laws, ordinances and generally accepted rules of technology. Examples of this are the Infection Protection Act (IfSG), the Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV), the DVGW worksheets, the VDI regulations, the UBA recommendations and the LANUV worksheets.

Both in the case of a telephone consultation and an on-site inspection, the scope of the investigation is determined with the sampling and analysis for the respective water-bearing technical system. Based on the knowledge gained, the analysis results and our many years of experience, we can assess risks, determine the need for action and suggest measures.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Knabe, the head of the department, or her team. You are welcome to call her on 0209-9242-203 or email her at wasser-legio@hyg.de.

All News

Last change: 18.03.2025 09:54:10