Water is a major source of all life. Streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands and oceans are a habitats for myriads of plants and animals. In addition, groundwater is the main source of drinking water and an underestimated natural habitat. Water mainly contribute to quality of life – food, daily hygiene and recreational activities. As a source of energy, transportation medium and resource, water is also a crucial economic factor. Due to increasing competition, effective protection and careful use of the water is crucial for biodiversity and sustainable uses of this important resource.
Many mine lakes have the potential to develop very good water quality and they are often cleaner than natural lakes. However, lignite remains the dirtiest of all sources of energy. In 2014 alone lignite caused environmental damage in the amount of 16.8 billion euros. A phase-out of lignite-fired electricity is urgently needed.
The condition of Germany's rivers continues to improve. The Rhine and many other rivers have many more fish species than 30 years ago. Salmon – once virtually wiped out – are once again at home in German waters. Some stretches of the Danube have “good” to “very good” ecological status, rating best among all Germany’s rivers. There is still a need for action along the Weser and Ems rivers.
Two English-language technical guides are now available to countries where modernisation of facilities for waste water treatment and sewage sludge management is imminent, e.g. to comply with EU requirements.
Antibiotics used in livestock breeding and in human medicine can find their way into groundwater says a recent study by the German Environment Agency (UBA). Maria Krautzberger, President of UBA, commented: "Groundwater must stay clean. This is the reason why the German Environment Agency has issued a recommendation for a threshold for antibiotics in groundwater."
A victory for environmental protection: Cybutryn, better known by its trade name Irgarol®, may no longer be used as the active substance in antifouling products on boat hulls after 27 January 2017.
The Federal Government and the Länder want to strengthen their joint measures to combat marine litter and are coordinating their future action at a round table.
The German Environment Agency (UBA) has chosen the water body type of the year 2016 just in time for World Water Day on 22 March: large gravel-bed streams.
Groundwater not at risk – seismic monitoring now standard
UBA: Focus more attention on large-size plastic litter
About a quarter of the volume of wastewater entering sewage plants for treatment would not have to be treated. This is extraneous water that infiltrates decrepit sewers and blends with “genuine” wastewater. In a project, a group of experts explored how this affects water quality and how sewer rehabilitation can remedy the problem.
The waste water charge could be a viable way to help finance the upgrading of large waste water treatment plants to include a 'fourth treatment stage". A new study has determined that these facilities can reduce micropollutants – pharmaceuticals, for example – which are present in waterbodies.
How much water is used in Germany and for what purposes? What are the pressures on our waters? What is being done about it? Find out the answers to these and many other questions in our two-part Water Resource Management in Germany publication.
