The course of these streams is often straightened, changed and deepened to drain their floodplains and make them usable for agriculture. read more
Sandy lowland river: Water Type of the Year 2018
Waters in Germany: Status and Assessment
Since 2016, there are new legal requirements for the assessment for nutrients and substances of the waters in Germany. New assessment procedures for hydromorphology were developed. These assessment instruments and the results of the application are described in the brochure "Waters in Germany: Status and Assessment". read more
Too much fertiliser: drinking water could become more expensive
Drinking water could become markedly more expensive in many regions across Germany, and it is because of the high levels of nitrate groundwater contamination. A family of four could then expect to add another €134 per year to their water bill. read more
EU Plastics Strategy needs to consider environmental issues
Plastic waste is a major threat to the marine environment. But how to tackle this problem? The EU Plastics Strategy that is being discussed in the upcoming months can help reduce the input of plastics to the environment if it follows seven recommendations of the European environment agencies. read more
Sustainable handling of sewage sludge in the Baltic Sea region
The “Recommendation on sewage sludge handling” as part of the Helsinki Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area entered into force in March 2017. It defines the principles for the sustainable handling of sewage sludge in the Baltic Sea region. read more
"Mobile" chemicals - when filters become useless
The German Environment Agency wants better protection of drinking water against "mobile" contaminants, chemicals which have entered the water cycle because they do not bind to solids such as sand or activated carbon. read more
Water body type 2017
Just in time for World Water Day on March 22, the German Environment Agency (UBA) has chosen the water type of the year 2017: the deep, big, lime-deficient highland area lake. This is good news in ecological terms: nearly 80 per cent of the lakes have “good” ecological potential according to the criteria of the EU Water Framework Directive. read more
"Wounds" have healed – Water quality of mine lakes has good status
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. read more
