In light of increasing drought in Germany and other European countries, the European Union (EU) Commission is aiming to raise consumer awareness about water scarcity and encourage them to reduce their consumption. EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall emphasized the need for a problem awareness and a new attitude towards water. She stated, “We know that we have been consuming too much water. We need a sense of the problem and a new approach to water.” Roswall also mentioned that industry, farmers and consumers all need to realize that water is a finite resource.
One way to create this awareness is to measure water consumption in households. “When people can see exactly how much water they are using, they think more consciously about it” said Roswall. “It’s a bit like the energy crisis. Suddenly, significant savings were possible because people had recognized the issue.”
Due to the ongoing climate change, large parts of Europe have been suffering from increasing water scarcity for years. This has significant consequences for nature, agriculture and the manufacturing industry as well as inland shipping. In Germany, it is currently also very dry: from the beginning of February to mid-May, according to the German Weather Service, there was not even half of the usual rainfall for this period. Experts are expecting this spring to be the driest since more than 130 years. The north and northeast regions of Germany are particularly affected.
Roswall announced that she will present an EU water strategy before the summer. “We have always taken it for granted that there would be enough water. That is no longer the case” said the EU Commissioner. “We sometimes have too much water, sometimes too little and sometimes both at the same time. This is a problem for all member states.