Red alarm level: groundwater stress threatens Germany's water reserves!

Red alarm level: groundwater stress threatens Germany's water reserves!

in Germany, which is often considered water -rich, there is dark news about the groundwater availability. A current overview study by the Institute for Social-E-Ecological research (ISOE) on behalf of the Federal Environment and Nature Conservation Germany (BUND) shows that about half of all counties and independent cities are struggling with acute or structural groundwater stress. The regions in Eastern, North and West Germany are particularly affected, where water supply is increasingly faltering. These alarming results were published on June 16, 2025, one day before the press conference to present the detailed results.

The multi -year drought from 2018 to 2022 has left its mark and led to worrying groundwater levels in many areas. The study not only deals with the current problems, but also analyzes how climate change further increases the uncertainties regarding the availability of the groundwater. Acute groundwater stress has been defined when the groundwater levels have dropped in recent years, while there is structural stress if more than 20 % of the annual new groundwater are removed.

hotspot regions and causes of the water shortage

The study identifies various hotspot regions in which the groundwater stress is particularly high, especially in Hesse, Brandenburg, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. These areas often have a high groundwater extraction for public drinking water supply, with industry and agriculture also make a significant contribution in certain regions. The reasons for this stress are versatile and regionally different. Factors such as water quality problems, mining, climatic conditions and the growing water requirement in metropolitan regions play a crucial role.

The Federal Environment Agency adds that the water shortage in Germany has complex causes. A research project called Wadklim offers solutions and recommendations for action that are part of the German adaptation strategy to climate change and the national water strategy. These include measures to improve water retention, promote water efficiency and strengthen the cooperation between different user groups.

The challenges of urban areas

Especially in urban areas, the problem is tightened by heavy rains. High rainfall can often not be absorbed from the ground, which leads to falling floods, rising water levels and floods. The sealing of areas, for example through buildings and asphalting, makes it impossible that rainwater seeps into the ground. This not only leads to overflowing in mixed sewers, but also burdens the ecosystems, since wastewater, which is polluted and nutrient-contaminated, flows into water.

A detailed analysis of all aspects of groundwater consumption and water use spreads how urgently the situation is. An improved understanding and regular collection of lack of water use is necessary. The need for legal and institutional framework conditions as well as new infrastructural solutions for use of water reverberation is now required by many experts. Sustainable water use is crucial to ensure that the right care for all user groups and to minimize future usage conflicts.

The continued drought and uncertainties in relation to the future water supply make it clear: there is something, and Active accompaniment is required to get the challenges that climate change brings under control.