Legal dispute for nitrate pollution: DUH calls for water protection in Leipzig

Legal dispute for nitrate pollution: DUH calls for water protection in Leipzig

Environmental protection in focus: German environmental aid complains against nitrate pollution in the groundwater

20.02.2025 - 14:53

The problem of nitrate pollution in groundwater is not just a regional, but a national concern that has far -reaching effects on public health and the environment. In particular, the countries of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia are criticized, since the legal limit values for nitrate are exceeded in groundwater at many measuring points. This can lead to the fact that the groundwater in the EMS area is no longer suitable for drinking water supply and the costs of water for consumers increase.

The German Environmental Aid (DUH) has started legal steps to strengthen water protection. In November 2023, the DUH received right in court. Nevertheless, the defendant federal states decided to appeal. This next legal round will take place on February 27, 2025 before the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig. The DUH expects the judgment to be significant for water protection in Germany.

On the day of the negotiation, DUH plans a striking campaign with local signs of regions that are particularly heavily used with nitrate to draw attention to the problem. It is important to those responsible for the DUH, Sascha Müller-Kraenner and Reinhild Benning, to raise awareness of the pressing challenges in water protection. They are ready on the negotiation day from 8:30 a.m. to give interviews and to show their view.

The lawsuit and the upcoming negotiation not only attract the interest of the media, but are also of great importance for the affected communities. In view of the increasing water costs and the questionable health effects due to stressful drinking water, the outcome of this procedure is of the greatest interest for many citizens.

Deutsche Environmental Aid is committed to the preservation of biodiversity and the protection of waters, which is all the more important in times of climate change and industrial agriculture. The ongoing nitrate entry in waters has serious consequences for the environment and the animals that rely on clean water.

interested citizens are invited to pursue the trial before the Federal Administrative Court. The DUH newsroom can be contacted for queries or preliminary interviews.

Press contact:

Duh-Newsroom: 030 2400867-20, press@duh.de

www.duh.de