Mathias Riechel is an environmental engineer who holds a PhD in civil engineering. He has extensive experience as a scientist and engineering consultant, specialised in asset management, urban drainage modelling and river ecology. His research primarily focuses on urban water infrastructures and the mitigation of negative impacts on surface waters. Currently, he is employed at Fichtner Water & Transportation GmbH, where he utilizes data-driven approaches to assist in the rehabilitation of water distribution networks and other infrastructure assets. In this context, he actively contributes to the ongoing development of OptNet [Netzbewertung und -optimierung: Fichtner OptNet] and Fichtner Digital Grid [Netzbewertung und -optimierung: Fichtner OptNet].