Climate change in focus: New project by the University of Kassel for water rescue

Climate change in focus: New project by the University of Kassel for water rescue

On July 29, 2025, the University of Kassel launched the ADAPT research project, which is intended to address the challenges of climate change in Hesse and beyond. The project sees itself as an important contribution to strengthening sustainability research, as the president of the university, Prof. Dr. Ute Clement, emphasized. With funding of 38 million euros from the 18th funding season of the LOEWE program of the Hesse Ministry of Science under the leadership of Timon Gremmels, ADAPT will investigate alternative water sources such as treated wastewater for agriculture.

The aim of the project is to redesign the use of water resources without endangering the delicate balance of surface, soil and groundwater. “ADAPT will provide decision-making aids for politics, agriculture and water management, not only in Hesse, but also nationwide,” says Prof. Dr. Adrian Mellage, the project manager.

Focus on droughts and water management

ADAPT focuses in particular on the challenges resulting from increasing droughts and changing precipitation distribution. These changes put pressure on soils and aquifers, leading to unused water runoff during heavy rainfall events. The demand for water in agriculture is constantly increasing, which increases the risk of negative water balances, especially in drinking water catchment areas. This is reinforced by the continuously decreasing recharge of groundwater in Hesse.

The changed climatic conditions have effects across sectors. The water surplus in Germany has decreased by 2.5 km³ per year since 2000, which is demonstrably due to climate change. Regional differences in water balance conditions are significant, particularly in northeastern Germany, where drought is increasing. Scientists have found that the water levels of many lakes in Brandenburg and the runoff in water bodies in the northeast are likely to decrease significantly.

Interdisciplinary approach and innovative solutions

ADAPT follows an interdisciplinary approach that includes both experimental and computer-aided modeling. A focus is on the use of treated wastewater, which harbors ecological opportunities and risks. In this context, the natural cleaning of pollutants through soil and groundwater sediments is also being investigated. Management of this resource could make a crucial contribution to strengthening environmental resilience.

Research on water management adaptation strategies focuses, among other things, on the Fulda river basin in northern Hesse, as well as on smaller catchment areas in Brandenburg and the Lausitz mining region. These strategic analyzes are important not only for the respective regulatory authorities, but also for agriculture and the general population.

In conclusion, the ADAPT project can be seen as a pioneering initiative that will provide valuable insights not only locally but also at the national level. The results could make a decisive contribution to how dewater resources can be used responsibly in times of climate change. As the book “Water Management in Climate Change” by Oekom makes clear, the need for adaptable strategies for water management has become urgent in Germany and throughout Europe.

For more information about the research project and similar developments in water management, visit the website University of Kassel, the book “Water Management in Climate Change” on the website of Oekom and further considerations about regional challenges in water management in Germany on the website of Oekom.