Water conflict around the German capital
Though the German state of Brandenburg that wraps around Berlin is getting drier, it is also home to thirsty industrial plants such as Tesla, Red Bull. Is there enough water to go around?
For years, residents of Baruth have noticed declining groundwater levels. This has led to increased water usage for gardens and has caused some local trees to die. Two beverage companies, Red Bull and Rauch, are planning to expand production near the town, which is located 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Berlin. They are considering building a new canning factory and additional facilities in a water protection area.
The town's waterworks are licensed to extract a fixed amount of groundwater each year, with only 8% used for the 4,300 residents' drinking water needs. The remaining 92% is reserved for the companies, enough to supply 57,000 people. However, the exact amount of water the companies use is not publicly disclosed. Peter Ilk, a former mayor of Baruth, believes that prioritizing the population's water supply is justified, as the companies need more water than residents.
Irina Engelhardt, a hydrogeologist, disagrees, citing outdated contracts based on inaccurate data. She is concerned about the overestimation of available water and calls for new, independent assessments and transparent communication. Petra Liesenfeld, a resident, is also concerned about the lack of transparency and the potential for changes in groundwater levels.
The water situation in Brandenburg is changing due to drought, higher temperatures, and increased evaporation. Many projects, including schools and kindergartens, have been delayed due to water scarcity. Grünheide, in eastern Brandenburg, has a permit for Tesla's Gigafactory to extract up to 1.4 million cubic meters of water per year, with plans to expand production.
However, the proposed mine in Spremberg would extract copper from depths of up to 1,200 meters, requiring extensive water treatment. Dry summers could result in the river carrying up to 75% less water, affecting water resources all the way to Berlin. One potential solution is artificial groundwater recharge, but hydrogeologist Irina Engelhardt is researching its feasibility in the region.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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