Water shortage in the Northeim district: This is how we protect our resources!

Water shortage in the Northeim district: This is how we protect our resources!

In an urgent appeal, the Northeim district calls for a more conscious use of water. The current situation is alarming given the falling groundwater levels and low water levels in rivers. To put it bluntly, there is clearly something going on here. Thanks to the ever-increasing climate change, water shortages have become a reality in many regions of Germany, including Northeim. According to ZDF, 201 out of 401 districts and independent cities are already affected by groundwater stress, which underlines the urgency.

The district administration has set itself the goal of conserving water resources and protecting natural habitats. It is therefore advisable to water the plants in the cooler morning or evening hours. This reduces evaporation and improves water absorption by the roots. Rainwater harvesting is also highlighted as a useful practice that not only reduces personal water consumption but also contributes to environmental protection.

Water withdrawals in Germany

The basic water withdrawals in Germany are divided into different areas, such as energy supply, agriculture and public water supply. The Federal Environment Agency reports that around 17.9 billion cubic meters of water were withdrawn in 2022, with energy supply companies accounting for the largest share - 6.9 billion cubic meters for cooling water alone. It is also interesting that water withdrawals have declined significantly: in the mining and manufacturing industries, withdrawals have fallen continuously since then.

The drinking water supply in the Northeim district is currently secured. However, it is urgently pointed out that unauthorized withdrawal of water from streams and rivers is only permitted by scooping with hand vessels. Legal consequences for violations cannot be ruled out, as such practices can endanger the habitat of animals and plants as well as water conditions.

Call for mindfulness

Citizens are called upon to pay attention to water consumption in everyday life and to make conscious decisions. The district reserves the right to issue additional restrictions on water withdrawal through a general decree if the situation becomes more severe. This is not only a purely precautionary measure, but also a direct response to the advancing climate change, which is limiting water availability in many regions and further inflaming the situation.

The consequences that inadequate regulation of water extraction can have should not be underestimated. The influence of irrigation on falling water levels is particularly evident in intensively agricultural regions, which endangers various ecosystems. The demands of environmental organizations for a fair price for water and the promotion of water-saving technologies have their place here. In the long term, water demand could increase due to new industries, which could further exacerbate the problem - it's high time to take action!