Battle for water: New approaches for Berlin's arid Spree!

Battle for water: New approaches for Berlin's arid Spree!

The water supply in the Berlin-Brandenburg region is currently facing major challenges. Prof. Dr. Irina Engelhardt, who heads the hydrogeology department at the Technical University of Berlin, is researching the groundwater resources in this extremely dry area for Germany. Engelhardt coordinates the interdisciplinary project SpreeWasser:N, which aims to develop innovative solutions for the growing water needs caused by agriculture, industry and households. The situation on the Spree is particularly critical, where the decline in marsh water due to the lignite phase-out in Lusatia leads to low water levels and, in certain areas, even to a standstill of the river during the summer months.

The current problems are serious: longer dry periods and falling groundwater levels are exacerbating the water crisis in the region. The SpreeWasser:N project aims to develop tools and strategies for sustainable water use in order to optimize water distribution and use. A holistic approach is pursued that connects different disciplines and integrates local actors into the process.

Technological innovations for water resources

One of the promising approaches within the project is research into technologies for artificial groundwater recharge. Such measures are essential to conserve existing water resources while meeting increasing demands. Engelhardt received an award for her work in the area of ​​“climate and water,” underscoring the importance of her research.

Another important dimension of research is the investigation of the effects on the ecosystems along the Spree. The water quality model QSim from the Federal Institute of Hydrology is used here. This process-based model assesses, among other things, variables such as runoff and water temperature that are critical to the ecosystem. It was found that the model uncertainty for ecological variables is high. These uncertainties result from the complex water networks that exist in the region.

Sustainability in focus

Sustainable water management is becoming increasingly important worldwide. People, territories and ecosystems are increasingly reliant on access to freshwater in a context where climate change and human activities are leading to overexploitation. At the international level, the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) was put on the agenda in 1992. The aim is to organize the development and management of water resources in a coordinated manner and to take all interest groups into account. The focus should be on basic needs as well as economic and ecological requirements.

The German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) supports such approaches through capacity development. The aim is to both improve political framework conditions and enable organizations and communities to effectively implement sustainable solutions. These measures not only improve water availability, but also reduce the risk of user conflicts and migration.

Overall, the current developments in Berlin-Brandenburg illustrate the need for sustainable strategies. The success of the SpreeWasser:N project could be groundbreaking not only for the region, but also for similar challenges in other areas.

For more information about Irina Engelhardt's work and the situation of water resources in Germany, see Berlin University Alliance, about the water quality model QSim on the website of Spree water as well as about the international water resources management strategies on the side of the GIZ.