The German government has passed a “National Water Strategy” to secure the supply of drinking water and protect natural water reserves for the coming decades amidst the climate crisis, with more dry and hot periods expected. The strategy aims to prevent conflicts of use and gradually rehabilitate the water infrastructure, while improving water quality and removing residues such as microplastics and drug residues.
Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens) stated that “the consequences of the climate crisis for people and nature are forcing us to act.”
“Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent, causing significant problems for municipalities and states.”
The past years of drought have left visible marks on forests, lakes, and rivers, and have impacted agriculture.
The Ministry of the Environment estimates that significant investments are required to adapt to climate change, though specific figures were not provided. This strategy represents an important step towards safeguarding our water resources and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
Source
Dürresommer und Mikroplastik: Wie die Regierung das Wasser in Deutschland schützen will [Summer drought and microplastics: How the government wants to protect water in Germany], Handelsblatt, 2023-03-15
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