Low water in Germany: Minister calls for new ways of dealing with water

The low water levels in rivers such as the Rhine led to a significant restriction on inland shipping this summer. “The situation on the Rhine and Lake Constance is a dramatic burden, not only for nature, but also for the economy,” Schneider told the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger”. But it is only a visible sign of a larger development.

The minister emphasized that Germany needs a different way of dealing with water. “The states would do well to invest a large portion of the funds from the special fund in water infrastructure,” said Schneider. The availability of water is a central factor for security and the economy.

Rewetting moors and giving rivers more space

In the past centuries, water policy consisted of draining water as quickly as possible and draining wet areas, Schneider told the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger”.

Today the task is to keep water in the landscape as much as possible. “If the mountains and their glaciers cease to provide water, the rivers, floodplains, forests and soils will have to become even more water reservoirs,” explained the minister. This means, for example, “rewetting dry moors, giving rivers more space and converting forests into stable mixed forests.” But the technical water infrastructure also needs to be made fit.

The Federal Network Agency warned that the water levels could also affect the energy supply. "Due to the low water situation, inland waterway vessels can currently only supply the coal-fired power plants, especially in southern Germany, with reduced cargo capacities," a spokesman for the authority told the newspaper. However, this has so far had no impact on the availability of the power plants.

At a special conference on Monday in Berlin, Schneider wants to talk to EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall about possibilities for a new way of dealing with water. Representatives from countries, companies and associations will take part.