Water shortage in Ostprignitz-Ruppin: Do you soon threaten bans?

Water shortage in Ostprignitz-Ruppin: Do you soon threaten bans?

In the district of Ostprignitz-Ruppin, the water is slowly becoming scarce. The stock in the Rhinseen is currently only 40 percent of the total storage amount of over 13 million cubic meters. Alexander von Uleniecki, spokesman for the district administration, warns of dry -falling rivers and falling water levels. The past few months are particularly affected in which the rainfall were far below the long -term average. "We all have to deal responsibly with this valuable good," says District Administrator Ralf Reinhardt to the population, especially to the residents of water.

"A ban on the water pump could soon be on the table," said an assessment from the district administration. Appropriate measures have already been taken in neighboring counties in Brandenburg. The increase in water consumption in Neuruppin, which doubles in summer, is particularly striking. "The location is tense, but not dramatic," says Tobias Frese, Managing Director of the Water Entertainment Association Oberer Rhin/Temnitz, the current situation. The water association monitors the water offer between Rheinsberg and Wustrau, while the municipalities ensure the water supply.

water shortage in Germany

The problems in Ostprignitz-Ruppin are not unique. A current study by the Frankfurt Institute for Social-E-Ecological research on behalf of the Federal Environment and Nature Conservation German (BUND) shows that 201 nationwide will suffer from 401 counties and independent cities from groundwater stress. This means that more than 20 percent of the annually newly formed groundwater is taken. In 94 counties, the groundwater levels have dropped significantly in recent years. East German regions as well as parts of Hesse and Lower Saxony are particularly affected.

Climate change not only contributes to water shortages in Brandenburg, but also in other regions. A combination of agricultural intensive use, mining and the rising water needs in metropolitan regions has tightened the problem. "In the heat summer 2023, over 80 districts had to restrict water withdrawals," adds the federal government.

Future strategies for water management

In order to act against the impending shortage of water, the Wadklim research project proposes solutions for water management. The project is to become part of the German adaptation strategy to climate change and provide recommendations for action. "The challenges are complex and difficult to predict," says the project managers. Future dry periods could further reduce the availability of water in many regions of Germany and lead to conflicts of use.

It is time to fundamentally rethink the use of water. Political decision -makers are required to integrate solution strategies into the decision -making processes and to take measures to promote sustainable water use. This includes, for example, improving the water retention and promoting water -saving technologies in agriculture.