Drinking water prices in Osnabrück are rising: This is what you need to know!

Drinking water prices in Osnabrück are rising: This is what you need to know!

From July 1, 2023, citizens in Osnabrück must expect moderate price increases for drinking water. According to the municipal utilities, the price for 1,000 liters of drinking water will rise from 1.99 euros to 2.08 euros (gross), while the basic price remains stable. Tino Schmelzle, Managing Director of SWO Netz, points to the high investments in the local infrastructure that make this increase necessary. The municipal utilities are thus placing a clear focus on securing the future of water supply.

The reasons for the price increases are rising operating costs and essential investments in various projects, which primarily serve to renew and secure the water supply. The largest project among these measures is the “PROWasser” infrastructure project, with a total investment volume of over 120 million euros. This includes the new construction of the Thiene waterworks as well as the construction of new transport pipelines to Osnabrück and elevated water tanks on Schinkelberg. These extensive projects are crucial to ensuring the continued need for drinking water.

Investments for the future

SWO Netz's commitment is reflected not only in the amount of investment, but also in the variety of planned measures. In addition to building a new waterworks, renewing and modernizing existing systems is also a high priority. Older elevated tanks in Lüstringen and on the Schinkelberg are to be replaced. The aim of modernizing the infrastructure is to make the drinking water supply more efficient, which is of great importance in times of increasing water demand, as the local water usage figures show.

Current statistics show that almost the entire population of Germany relies on public water supplies. In 2022, each person needed an average of 126 liters of drinking water per day. [Federal Environment Agency] highlights that this is 18 liters less than in 1991. Usage has also fallen compared to 2019, which underlines the efforts to use water more sustainably. While personal water use varies in different federal states, North Rhine-Westphalia remains in the upper range of these statistics with a consumption of around 135 liters per day.

A look at everyday life

To illustrate water consumption: With one cubic meter of water you can, for example, carry out 22 washing machine wash cycles or prepare 200 portions of pasta. In everyday life, one cubic meter of water provides the average person's needs for about nine days. Despite the upcoming increase - which will cost around 4 euros more per year for a single household due to the planned increases and around 13 euros more per year for a family of four - Osnabrück remains in the middle range when it comes to water prices compared to other cities in Lower Saxony.

With the investments and the price adjustment, the municipal utilities not only want to ensure the current supply, but also set the course for future water supply. In this sense, SWO Netz's commitment is an important sign of environmental protection and sustainability. Further information about their projects can be found on the [SWO Netz] website.