Northern Germany Faces Mounting Water Conflicts Amidst Historic Drought
Hamburg, August 7 – Persistent heatwaves and a severe lack of precipitation have led to critically low groundwater levels across Northern Germany, igniting widespread conflicts over the region’s dwindling water resources. The situation, particularly acute in Lower Saxony and impacting areas supplied by Hamburg, highlights a growing crisis for citizens, agriculture, industry, and natural ecosystems.
Water, an increasingly precious and finite resource, is essential for drinking, crop irrigation, industrial production, and maintaining natural habitats such as rivers, moors, and wetlands. A study last year by the BUND revealed that more groundwater is being extracted than replenished in half of Lower Saxony’s districts. Currently, over half of the measurement points in Lower Saxony show low or very low groundwater levels. Rivers and lakes are experiencing historically low water levels, with the Okertalsperre in the Harz Mountains reaching an unprecedented low in July. With temperatures frequently exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, little improvement is expected, intensifying the struggle for water.
The Edertalsperre: Tourism vs. Shipping
In Lower Saxony and Hesse, this summer’s drought has exacerbated the conflict over water from the Edertalsperre. Water must be released earlier each year to maintain shipping operations on the Upper Weser. Simultaneously, Hessian tourism businesses around Lake Eder urgently need water during the summer months; the lake is currently only about 18 percent full. They advocate for lower minimum releases into the Upper Weser, while Lower Saxon shipowners and gravel extraction companies insist on a minimum water level of 1.20 meters. The Waterways and Shipping Office has commissioned a study to explore how water release management can be improved.
North Heath: Water Suppliers vs. Environmental Groups
A long-standing conflict over groundwater persists in the Harburg district. Hamburg Wasser, a utility company, extracts deep groundwater from the North Heath to supply the city of Hamburg. Annually, 16.1 million cubic meters are permitted to be extracted on a long-term average, according to a special permit from the district. This permit has faced multiple legal challenges. Hamburg Wasser argues the allocated amount is too low, “disproportionately” restricting Hamburg’s supply security. Conversely, the Interessengemeinschaft Grundwasserschutz Nordheide (IGN), an environmental group, deems the amount excessively high, fearing damage to groundwater-dependent ecosystems like forests, moors, and rivers. In 2021, the Lüneburg Regional Court dismissed the lawsuits, prompting Hamburg Wasser and other plaintiffs to appeal. The appeal proceedings are ongoing at the Higher Administrative Court in Lüneburg, with no hearing dates yet scheduled, as confirmed by a spokesperson to NDR Niedersachsen.
Lüneburg District: Coca-Cola vs. Residents
Coca-Cola’s plans for a new well in the Lüneburg district sparked a five-year debate over groundwater. The company intended to construct a well near Reppenstedt, extracting up to 350 million liters of water annually from a depth of 195 meters. In 2021, Coca-Cola conducted pumping tests for several months. Local residents protested, fearing declining groundwater levels and drought damage. In January 2022, Coca-Cola surprisingly announced it would not apply for the well permit, attributing the decision to decreasing demand for mineral water rather than the protests. In November 2023, the Lüneburg district ordered the well to be dismantled, a process now complete, according to a district spokesperson. Coca-Cola did not rule out future attempts but currently has no new plans or applications with the district.
Lower Saxony: Municipalities Urge Water Conservation
Low groundwater levels are also affecting private citizens. Several municipalities this summer have issued water extraction bans. In Braunschweig, the Hanover region, and the Lüneburg district, garden owners must adhere to specific watering times for lawns and plants, with fines for non-compliance. Other municipalities, such as Emsland and Nienburg/Weser, have not yet imposed bans but urge careful water use. The Verden district advises using groundwater or rainwater for gardens and turning off taps when not in use, for example, while brushing teeth.
NABU Calls for Consistent Renaturation
The Naturschutzbund NABU in Lower Saxony stresses that dried-out soils, overheated waters, and falling water levels are not short-term extremes but clear warning signs of the climate crisis. The state association therefore demands a significant acceleration of moor, river, and floodplain renaturation and the removal of unnecessary sealed surfaces to allow water to be stored longer in the landscape. “Rewetted moors, vibrant floodplains, and near-natural waters store water, cool their surroundings, and stabilize the natural water balance,” said press spokesman Lamin Neffati in a statement. This, he added, could buffer extreme weather events.
Water Law and Master Plan: State Initiatives for Relief
To protect water bodies and regulate water extraction, the state of Lower Saxony introduced a modernized water law at the end of June. Besides flood protection measures, the law includes stricter checks on water extraction in heavily burdened regions and simplified approval procedures for the renaturation of water bodies. Furthermore, water suppliers may be allowed to differentiate fees more strongly by consumption – those who consume little would receive a cheaper tariff, while high consumers might pay more. Additionally, the Ministry of Environment presented 66 measures in July with the “Master Plan Water” to respond to the consequences of climate change. These measures range from water saving and unsealing areas for more water retention to flood protection, groundwater conservation, and the renaturation of water bodies and floodplains.
Source: NDR, BUND, Hamburg Wasser, Interessengemeinschaft Grundwasserschutz Nordheide (IGN), Lüneburg District Administration
