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Water is life: Wupperverband fights for drinking water supply!
Find out everything about the Wupper Association: water management, public services and sustainable water protection in the Wupper area.
Water is life: Wupperverband fights for drinking water supply!
When thinking about the value of water, the saying often comes to mind: “Water is life.” Given the prolonged drought in spring 2025, this principle becomes particularly clear. On June 23rd, Public Services Day is celebrated, recognizing the important role of water in our everyday lives. The Wupperverband, which has been active in the Wupper river basin for 95 years, has been emphasizing the importance of its commitment to water protection and sustainable water management. Solinger Nachrichten reports that this association is responsible for wastewater treatment, sewage sludge disposal and water development and supplies around 900,000 people in the region with raw water.
The Wupperverband has set itself the goal of improving water quality, which is supported not least by the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive. According to the latest reports, 53% of the 1,224 planned measures by 2024 have already been undertaken. Among other things, attention is paid to the renaturation of rivers and streams in order to ensure continuity for fish and microorganisms. This is intended to help restore the habitat of various species and sustainably promote ecosystems.
Sustainable water management in focus
Not only is the protection of water bodies important, but also the treatment and provision of drinking water. With the three large dams - the Great Dhünn Dam, the Kerspe Dam and the Herbringhauser Dam - the Wupperverband has a total capacity of over 97 million cubic meters. These dams not only take on the task of providing high-quality drinking water supplies, but also make a significant contribution to flood protection and the regulation of low water levels. Wupperverband highlights that up to 57 million cubic meters of raw water are passed on to the local waterworks every year.
But in addition to these technical achievements, it is crucial that citizens also take responsibility. The Wupperverband appeals to everyone to use water carefully and dispose of waste correctly. This simple action can make a significant contribution to protecting our waters. Individual action is also required in the context of the challenges facing water management in Germany – such as the burdens caused by agriculture and industry. Umweltbundesamt reports on these key challenges and the legal measures that need to be introduced to improve the status of water bodies.
A key challenge facing the Wupperverband is the increasing shortage of skilled workers. Around 450 employees are currently working in various areas to make operations effective and environmentally conscious. The professions in the water industry, such as in the areas of wastewater technology and engineering, are not only essential, but also offer exciting training opportunities for the coming generation. The new sewage treatment plant in Leverkusen, which will be equipped with a fourth purification stage, shows that innovative approaches are being pursued to eliminate trace substances and thus protect the environment.
In summary, it can be said that the Wupperverband and its diverse tasks are a cornerstone of public services for the region. Efforts towards healthy and sustainable water management should be supported not only by institutions, but also by each individual. This is the only way we can all work together to ensure that future generations in the region also have safe, high-quality water available.