Rescue for Thürmsdorf's highest waterfall: Petition brings new momentum!

Rescue for Thürmsdorf's highest waterfall: Petition brings new momentum!

In the picturesque Saxon Switzerland, specifically in Thürmsdorf near Struppen, the Pehnabach, the highest waterfall in the region, is waiting to shine again in its full glory. With a total height of 20 meters, this waterfall is not only an impressive natural monument, but also an important ecosystem. Currently, however, a slow problem means that the waterfall no longer flows as quickly as it once did. The reason for this lies in the uranium mining that has been going on for decades.

The Pirna district office has now taken a step to improve the situation. The plan is to impose a fine of 10,000 euros on Wismut GmbH in order to increase the amount of water in the Pehnabach. According to Sächsische.de, this measure followed a successful petition from the Thürmsdorfer Heimatverein, which campaigned for the restoration of the water flow has.

The background to the water shortage

The natural spring of the Pehnabach has been drying up since the times of uranium mining in Königstein. Since 1968, the Wismut has been letting water flow into the river as a substitute, but this injection was stopped in 2013. A legal dispute that was decided in 2019 before the Saxon Higher Administrative Court of Bautzen brought the citizens of Thürmsdorf a small victory: the Wismut was obliged to feed in at least 50 cubic meters of water per hour. But currently only around 10 cubic meters per hour are flowing because there is no replacement water available. Instead, drinking water from the Cunnersdorf waterworks is used.

The situation is tense because Wismut is planning to completely stop feeding in this water. The residents of Thürmsdorf have therefore submitted a petition to prevent this. With their signature they want to prevent ecological damage to flora and fauna as well as a decrease in quality of life and tourist attraction.

Uranium mining and its consequences

The background to the ongoing problems lies in the region's extensive uranium mining, which was massively expanded after the Second World War. By 1990, a total of 80,600 tons of uranium had been extracted here. Oba.sachsen.de notes that Wismut GmbH, which emerged from the former Soviet-German stock corporation Wismut, is still struggling with numerous obligations. These include the remediation of formerly contaminated areas and the cessation of mining, which will take decades.

By the end of 2021, Wismut GmbH has already invested 6.9 billion euros in remediation measures, including the dismantling of disused facilities and the storage of contaminated tailings facilities. The natural resources and the limited water availability repeatedly lead to discussions about the company's responsibility towards the region.

A look into the future

The new initiative of the district office and the commitment of the Thürmsdorfer Heimatverein could potentially initiate a turning point in the history of the Pehnabach. The prospect of a waterfall rushing again is not only a question of ecology, but also of emotional and tourist value for the community. Given the ongoing challenges, now is the time to look to the future with a clear plan and tackle the environmental challenges together.

The people in Thürmsdorf and the surrounding area have a good knack for protecting their nature. It remains to be hoped that their efforts will soon bear fruit and the Pehnabach can bloom in all its glory again. Wismut GmbH has a duty to become aware of its responsibility – for the environment, local residents and future generations.