Climate change makes Spree and Havel sink threatening - what now?

Climate change makes Spree and Havel sink threatening - what now?

Oder-Spree, Deutschland - The waters in Berlin and Brandenburg are under enormous pressure. On July 17, 2025, rbbb24 Region. The problems are diverse: climate change, pollutant entries and overuse burden the water quality, which is only classified 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 bad evaluation is particularly questionable: good results could be achieved at none 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 throws a bad light on the efforts to implement the EU Water Framework Directive. From 2027 even sanctions threaten, the condition of the waters should not be improved.

main causes and effects

The causes of the alarming water quality are quickly named: agriculture, in particular the use of fertilizers and industrial wastewater, are the main causers of the pollution. In particular, the phosphate values in the Spree and Havel have not improved for years. The nutrient concentrations rise, while the flow speed of the rivers decreases rapidly.

While the water levels in the Spree and Havel have dropped by almost 50 percent, experts report on a dangerous increase in water temperatures. This could not only endanger the ecosystem, but also lead to strengthening flood events. After heavy rain events, the city center of Berlin is loaded by a mixed water channel system. Around 400 tons of garbage are fished from the Berlin waters every year, which underlines the urgency of improvement measures.

EU-wide challenges

A look at the European waters shows a similar picture. According to European parliament only 37 percent fulfilled in 2021 Surface waters of the EU the criteria for a "good" ecological state. The main responsibility bear industrial micals, agricultural products such as pesticides and new pollutants such as microplastics that get into the water by rain. In Germany, too, the proportion of ecologically intact waters is 9 percent just below the EU average.

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

future steps and recommendations

In order to tackle the problems, experts require increased commitment and more resources for water protection measures. However, there are also positive feedback: Renaturation projects, such as those in the lower Havel, show initial successes and bring improvements to the ecological situation. However, in order to achieve the EU objectives for water quality, comprehensive measures are necessary that improve the flow speed of the waters and contain the pollutant inputs.

The responsibility not only has politics and agriculture, but also everyone: R individuals who can recognize the importance of clean water and take appropriate steps. When we work together, we can protect the waters in Berlin, Brandenburg and all of Europe in the long term.