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Water crisis in Baden-Württemberg: Extremely low levels endanger supplies
Current situation in the Main-Tauber district: Drinking water supply under pressure due to extreme drought and climate change – measures taken.
Water crisis in Baden-Württemberg: Extremely low levels endanger supplies
The water supply in Baden-Württemberg is under pressure. Despite isolated rainfall, water levels in many rivers and lakes are alarmingly low. The situation is more tense than in the dry years of 2003 and 2018, while regions with severe water shortages are increasingly affected by bottlenecks. This reports main-echo.de. The Ravensburg district office has already issued a ban on the use of surface water due to the drought, with fines of up to 10,000 euros for violations. Exceptions often apply to agriculture that relies on this water source.
The basic quality of drinking water is a crucial issue. In Baden-Württemberg, 70 to 75% of public drinking water comes from groundwater and spring water. The groundwater often has to be intensively treated in order to meet legal quality requirements. While there are currently no fears of bottlenecks for the public water supply, self-suppliers are facing challenges, particularly in the karst area and high altitudes of the Black Forest.
Challenges posed by climate change
But what is causing the decreasing water availability? Climate change plays a central role. Loud Umweltbundesamt.de Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns contribute to water scarcity. In Germany, the climatic conditions are increasingly unfavorable, which is reflected, among other things, in increased nitrate pollution and water withdrawals for agriculture. Additionally, urban areas with high water demands are at greater risk. The WADKlim research project presents solutions and recommendations for sustainable water management in order to counteract this development.
Extreme climatic events, such as those observed in 2018, are leading to growing pressure on water supplies. These extreme dry phases make multiple years of drought very likely. Water supply companies must also prepare for these challenges by reviewing their systems for emergency preparedness and resilience to extreme weather events, according to experts at dvgw.de.
Sustainable solutions
Given this situation, the need for sustainable water management becomes even clearer. Further measures are needed to promote water efficiency and water retention. Political decision-makers are required to integrate the proposed solution strategies into their decision-making processes in order to minimize conflicts in water use and ensure fair supply for all user groups. In particular, the consideration of natural ecosystems in the overall water management approach should not be neglected.
Overall, it is clear that the challenge of water availability will occupy a central place on the political agenda in the coming years. It remains to be seen whether it will be possible to successfully combat the water shortage in Baden-Württemberg through joint action, innovative concepts and a focus on nature.