Basic academic education in civil engineering. Doctoral degree in 1977 at Vienna University of Technology. From 1987 to 2012 full professor for water quality management at the Institute for Water Quality, Resource and Waste management at Vienna University of Technology. From 1994 - 1998 dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering and from 2004 to 2010 vice chair of the Senate.

Member of the European Academy of Science and Arts since 2001.

Member of the Board of Directors of International Water Association (IWA) for many years, chair of the IWA publishing committee from 2010 to 2014. Since 2008 IWA Distinguished Fellow. IWA president for the period 2014 to 2016. IWA immediate past past president 2016 to 2018.

Main research field on municipal and industrial waste water treatment focused on biological process development from lab scale to full scale plant design and operation.  Main search on river basin management focused on the role of point and diffused nutrient sources on surface, ground and coastal waters.

Teaching focused on basic and advanced education in Water Quality Management and doctoral programs. Another key aspect is the enhancement of continuous flow of knowledge and experience from reserach to full scale operation (professional training) together with the Austrian Water and Waste Association.

International teaching and consulting in many countries around the globe with special emphasis on Asia and Europe.