Experts warn that Bavaria's drinking water could become scarce. Despite rainfall, there is a need for action to secure supplies in the long term.
Munich - Bavaria is facing a challenge: the supply of drinking water could become problematic in the future. In a hearing of the state parliament's Environment Committee on Thursday (April 18), many experts agreed that measures must be taken to ensure the long-term availability of drinking water. The temporary improvement caused by increased rainfall in recent months will not be sufficient in the long term.
Is Bavaria's drinking water becoming scarce? Parties disagree on measures
However, opinions differed as to which measures would be most effective - the suggestions varied from complex construction projects, such as supplying northern Bavaria from southern waters such as Lake Constance, to simple water saving. Regardless of party affiliation, it was clear: privatizing drinking water supplies is not an option.
“Our water is our most valuable asset. The top priority must therefore be to protect it - from exploitation by corporations, from pollution and waste,” emphasized the Green Party member of the state parliament, Patrick Friedl. The CSU pointed out that Bavaria is providing seven billion euros for water protection by 2050. The connection to the public drinking water supply is already almost 100 percent.
Further research needed
In the last two decades, groundwater recharge has fallen by 20 percent, according to Juliane Thimet, deputy managing director of the Bavarian Association of Municipalities and an expert in water law. This phenomenon has not yet been fully researched, explained Augsburg hydrology professor Harald Kunstmann. Increasing temperatures and decreasing precipitation alone cannot explain this. Only when the principle is fully understood can effective measures be taken.
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Experts doubt the “Bavarian way”
Some experts questioned the so-called “Bavarian way” - Bavaria defines its water protection areas as significantly smaller than other federal states. Professor Karl Auerswald from Munich emphasized that this has been sufficient so far. However, the small protected areas give the wrong impression because the water in the catchment areas of the protected zones is actually not available for other purposes. “Covets arise and that can only lead to trouble,” he warned. He advocated more realistic water protection zones.
However, the comparatively small protection zones in Bavaria are already affected by a flood of lawsuits. There are currently 400 proceedings pending, said Thimet, and durations of many years are not uncommon. She spoke out in favor of significant simplification and acceleration.
Wassercent finds supporters
There were different views on the question of whether - as is already the case in many other federal states - a water extraction fee should be introduced - the so-called water cent. While the Bavarian Farmers' Association calls for an exception for farmers, the Organic Agriculture Association supports this fee. The Greens also support the water cent set out in the coalition agreement between the CSU and Free Voters.
(tkip with dpa)