The Laboratory of Sanitary Engineering was established in 1981 and belongs to the Sector of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering of the School of Civil Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). The Laboratory was officially founded by Presidential Decree 573/1-6-81 (Government Gazette 149/11-6-81, Issue A) and was incorporated into the School (then Department) of Civil Engineering by decision of the NTUA Senate on 17 December 1982.
The areas of activity of the Laboratory include education, basic and applied research, and the provision of consulting services in matters related to water resources and environmental management. More specifically, the scientific fields covered include water resources management; water, wastewater, and sludge treatment; solid waste management; wastewater and sludge reuse and valorization; water quality and aquatic environment studies; ecosystem analysis; and environmental impact assessment.
The Laboratory is accredited for water, wastewater, and sludge analyses according to ISO 17025 (by ESYD).
The Laboratory of Sanitary Engineering occupies laboratory facilities with a total area of 250 m², equipped with modern laboratory and computing equipment. The office areas, totaling 150 m², are equipped with a computer network and audiovisual systems, and include a presentation and meeting room.
The equipment comprises instruments for standard and specialized analyses of pollutants and quality indicators in water, wastewater, sludge, solid waste, and air. Pilot-scale simulation units of treatment facilities allow for the evaluation of alternative systems. Treatment processes and pollutant dynamics in the aquatic environment are investigated using mathematical models, many of which have been developed by the Laboratory’s researchers.
The Laboratory conducts both basic and applied research and provides specialized services within its scientific domains. In addition to research funded by NTUA, a significant portion of its research activities is carried out within the framework of competitive research programs funded by international organizations (mainly the European Union) and by public and private bodies in Greece (such as the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation, Ministries, Public Utilities, Municipal Water and Sewerage Companies, Local Authorities, and private enterprises).
Beyond its educational and research activities, the Laboratory of Sanitary Engineering offers Technical Consulting Services to public institutions (Ministries, EYDAP, Municipal Water and Sewerage Companies, etc.) and private entities. These services include standardized and specialized analyses of water, wastewater, industrial effluents, and sludge; field measurements; pilot and mathematical process simulations; monitoring, evaluation, and optimization of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) operation; as well as specialized techno-economic and integrated management studies.
