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National Water Strategy: Associations consider measures to be watered down

National Water Strategy: Associations consider measures to be watered down

The cabinet has adopted a national water strategy. The project is part of a strategy to adapt to climate change. But that’s not enough, say associations.

In order to secure the future water supply in Germany despite the consequences of climate change, the federal government has launched a national water strategy. On Wednesday, the cabinet approved a draft by Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens), which includes an action program with around 80 measures. Among other things, water storage in the municipalities is to be improved and a nationwide guideline is to be prepared in the event of a water shortage.

“Water is of immense importance to all of us,” said Lemke on Wednesday after the cabinet meeting in Berlin. You have to adapt to the changes caused by the climate crisis. The water supply will be different.

According to the Ministry of the Environment, the strategy is designed for the period up to 2050 – the first measures are to be implemented gradually in the years up to 2030.

Praise and criticism of the national water strategy

The project was praised by the Federal Association of Energy and Water Management (BDEW). “The Federal Government’s water strategy contains important impulses to protect the water quality and ensure the drinking water supply in the usual high quality in the long term,” says BDEW Managing Director Martin Weyand. With a view to the consequences of climate change, the public drinking water supply must always come first. However, the infrastructure must be strengthened for this. However, the association is critical of a nationwide water withdrawal fee system. “This would not only make drinking water artificially more expensive, but would also have the character of a ‘hidden tax'”, it says in the BDEW message.

Low Rhine level - climatologists warn: "Drought seems to be permanent"

Low Rhine level alarms climatologists – “Drought seems to be permanent”.

There was sharp criticism from the campaign organization Campact: the strategy had been completely gutted. Priority for the drinking water supply was clearly defined in previous drafts. The new paper now contains the addition that the production of food and animal feed should also be permanently ensured. They were appalled “that the Minister for the Environment did not oppose anything against the industry,” the organization said.

Source: Stern

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