What effects does climate change have on our water resources? Is water scarcity also a threat in Germany? What challenges do water management and water infrastructure face?
The availability of water in good quality and sufficient quantity is a basic prerequisite for food security, economic development, social stability and ecological integrity. Climate change is increasing the pressure on water resources: not only in the world’s dry regions are shortages occurring ever more frequently.
Even in water-rich countries like Germany, drinking water is temporarily scarce in some regions, especially during heat and drought periods. According to an ISOE overview study for BUND, around half of all districts and independent cities are affected by acute or structural groundwater stress. These developments intensify competition for our water resources, so conflicts are increasing. Economical use of water resources is becoming ever more important.
This also poses major challenges for water management and thus for water supply and wastewater disposal: outdated and inadequate infrastructure endangers the efficiency and sustainability of water use. In addition, controversial substances are increasingly being detected in groundwater and drinking water.
“In light of the climate risks, a water transition is urgently needed, which means nothing less than the transformation of our current water management.”
Dr. Robert Lütkemeier, Head of the Research Unit Water and Land Use
We develop sustainable management and governance strategies for water resources, including groundwater and drinking water. We focus on the early detection of critical developments, in order to avoid dangers from extreme events and tipping points for sustainable water supply and intact ecosystems. We also investigate how conflicts between different interest groups can be addressed productively in order to shape transformations towards a sustainable and fair use of water resources.
A further focus is water and wastewater infrastructure as part of services of general interest. It plays a key role in adapting to climate change. The aim of our research is to develop sustainable infrastructure systems for a circular society – for example through water reuse.
“Linking wastewater reuse with hydrogen production creates an innovative connection between the water and energy sectors. It conserves our water resources and strengthens the resilience of both supply systems.”
Dr.-Ing. Martin Zimmermann, Research Scientist Research Unit Coupled Infrastructures
The reSYNERGY research project strengthens the resilience of water and energy systems by using ultra-pure water derived from wastewater for green hydrogen production.
