Germany’s Municipal Association Warns of Regional Water Scarcity Amid Rising Heat and Drought
As Germany faces an increasing number of heat and drought periods, the German Association of Cities and Municipalities (DStGB) is warning of regional water shortages and urging the implementation of concrete measures to secure the drinking water supply.
According to the association, estimates suggest that up to eight billion euros must be invested annually in climate adaptation, a burden that cannot be solely shouldered by municipalities. The DStGB views drinking water as the most essential human resource and therefore welcomes the federal government’s National Water Strategy.
The strategy, the association emphasizes, must be implemented promptly and in coordination with the states and municipalities. In cases of conflicting interests, a clear prioritization of water use must be resolved, with public water supply always taking precedence when not enough water is available for all users, as stated by Bernd Düsterdiek, a representative of the DStGB.