Climate change is threatening to sink the Spree and Havel – what now?

Climate change is threatening to sink the Spree and Havel – what now?

The waters in Berlin and Brandenburg are under enormous pressure. Reported on July 17, 2025 RBB24 about alarming conditions in the region's rivers and lakes. The problems are diverse: climate change, pollutant inputs and overuse put a strain on water quality, which is only rated as sufficient in a few areas. For years, the overall ecological situation of the Spree has been stagnating at 4+ and the Havel at 4-, which is classified as “unsatisfactory”.

The repeated poor assessment is particularly worrying: good results were not achieved at any of the measuring points along the Spree and the Havel. Eight out of 56 measuring points show a worrying “red” rating, while 27 others are in the “orange” category. This reflects poorly on efforts to implement the EU Water Framework Directive. There is even a risk of sanctions from 2027 if the condition of the waters is not improved.

Main causes and effects

The causes of the alarming water quality are quickly identified: Agriculture, especially the use of fertilizers, and industrial wastewater are the main causes of pollutant pollution. In particular, the phosphate levels in the Spree and Havel have not improved over the years. Nutrient concentrations are increasing while river flow rates are decreasing rapidly.

While the water levels in the Spree and Havel have fallen by almost 50 percent, experts are reporting a dangerous rise in water temperatures. This could not only endanger the ecosystem, but also lead to increased flood events. After heavy rain events, the city center of Berlin is burdened by a combined sewer system. Around 400 tons of garbage are fished out of Berlin's waters every year, which underlines the urgency of improvement measures.

EU-wide challenges

A look at European waters shows a similar picture. Loud European Parliament In 2021, only 37 percent of the EU's surface waters met the criteria for “good” ecological status. The main responsibility lies with industrial chemicals, agricultural products such as pesticides and new pollutants such as microplastics that enter waterways through rain. In Germany, too, the proportion of ecologically intact waters is 9 percent, just below the EU average.

The urgency of improving water quality across Europe is underlined by calls for more effective measures to reduce chemical pollution. The burden of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, microplastics and chemical pesticides must urgently be reduced in order to minimize health risks for the population.

Future steps and recommendations

To address the problems, experts are calling for increased commitment and resources for water protection measures. However, there is also positive feedback: renaturation projects, such as those in the Lower Havel, are showing initial success and bringing improvements to the ecological situation. However, in order to achieve the EU's water quality goals, comprehensive measures are necessary that both improve the flow speed of water bodies and limit pollutant inputs.

Responsibility lies not only with politics and agriculture, but also with every individual who can recognize the importance of clean water and take appropriate steps. If we work together, we can protect the waters in Berlin, Brandenburg and throughout Europe in the long term.