The catchment area of the Lower Spree in Brandenburg is the focus region of SpreeWasser:N.
What are the main problems currently facing the Berlin-Brandenburg region in terms of water supply?
The Berlin-Brandenburg region is considered one of the warmest and driest regions in Germany. As a result, water scarcity is particularly acute here. In addition to climate-related periods of drought and increased evaporation and transpiration, socio-economic developments are also depleting the already depleted groundwater reserves. Water demand in agriculture, industry, and private households is growing in line with population growth and increased consumption on particularly hot days.
It is important that we also address the phase-out of lignite mining in the Lusatian mining area. For decades, drainage water from lignite mining was discharged into the Spree River, which continuously and artificially increased the river's water flow.
The Spree is one of the most important sources of water in our region. With the phase-out of lignite, a water source is becoming a water sink. Especially in the dry summer months, we will be confronted with challenges such as low water levels in ecologically critical areas, reverse flow directions, and in some cases, the complete stagnation of the Spree.
In short, the “thirst for water” is already great and continues to grow, while the water supply is scarce and becoming scarcer.