How do Information Technology, engineering, and environmental protection work together to ensure that a city has a reliable supply of clean water? Students from several master’s programs at the (TH) OWL University of Applied Sciences and Arts explored this question during a visit to the Paderborn Municipal Sewerage Authority. Students from the Information Technology, Interior Architecture, Applied Entrepreneurship, and Architecture degree programs took part in the field trip.
During the three-and-a-half-hour visit, they gained insights into the operation of a key piece of public infrastructure. The focus was on the connection between technology and sustainability, the security of digital systems, and how different disciplines contribute to the reliable operation of a wastewater treatment plant.
At the start, experts from the municipal wastewater treatment plant provided information about SCADA systems. The acronym stands for “Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition.” Such systems are used to monitor and control technical and industrial processes and to analyze operational data. The students learned how Information Technology and operational technology interact and what role digital control systems play in the day-to-day operations of the municipal wastewater treatment plant.
Another main focus area was on cybersecurity. Topics covered included potential attacks on digital control systems, the specific requirements for operators of critical infrastructure, and the European NIS2 Directive. This directive aims to strengthen organizational and technical security measures in companies and public institutions. The students learned why protecting digital systems is just as important for the operation of a wastewater treatment plant as the mechanical and biological processes of wastewater treatment.
During a subsequent tour of the facility, the participants learned about the individual stages of wastewater treatment. The staff demonstrated how automation, sensors, and digital monitoring support daily operations. This highlighted how modern technical solutions contribute to efficient wastewater treatment, environmental protection, and sustainable urban development.
The field trip thus combined theoretical knowledge from their degree program with practical applications. The students were able to understand how digital control systems manage real-world processes, what challenges arise at the interface between information technology and operational engineering, and how different disciplines work together to develop solutions.
The visit was organized by members of the student “Lippe Int Student Club” together with Shayan Naveed and Kalidasan Nediyamparambath. The initiative brought together students from various fields of study and offered them the opportunity to network and exchange their professional perspectives.
The visit also opened up opportunities for internships, research projects, and potential collaboration between students, degree programs, and industry partners. Special thanks go to Alexandra Schaefer for her support in organizing the event. The students also thanked the team at the Paderborn Municipal Water and Sewerage Authority for their hospitality and willingness to share insights from their day-to-day work with them.