Federal Environment Minister calls for new German water policy

Berlin. Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) has called for a fundamental reorientation of German water policy in view of climate change. “As a country, we have to find a new way of dealing with water: more efficient, more forward-looking, fairer,” said the SPD politician on Monday at a “Future Water” forum in Berlin organized by his ministry.

Instead of quickly draining water away as before, it must be retained in the landscape, for example by rewetting moors. Investments in water infrastructure such as storage and efficient sewage treatment plants are crucial for this. The countries should also use funds from the debt-financed 500 billion euro special fund for infrastructure and climate neutrality, demanded Schneider.

Those responsible for micropollutants, such as the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, should contribute to the costs of expanding sewage treatment plants. “The investments must be financed fairly: not by the consumer, but by the polluter,” said Schneider.

He is relying on a European solution. “But if necessary, I can also imagine a national approach.” With increasing water scarcity, large consumers such as data centers would have to pay more for water or invest in conservation technology instead of competing with the basic needs of citizens.