On 15th March, 2023, the National Water Strategy for Germany was adopted by the Federal Cabinet. This strategy and the associated “programme of water measures” lay the foundation for a sustainable management of our water resources and the protection of our water bodies.
Water management and water protection are facing diverse challenges due to climate change, globalisation, diffuse substance inputs and demographic change. The National Water Strategy aims to ensure the sustainable use of our water resources in 2050 and beyond. In the long term, access to high-quality drinking water is to be maintained, the responsible use of ground and surface waters is to be ensured in other sectors as well, and the natural water balance and ecological development of our water bodies are to be supported. The 78 measures of the “programme of water measures” named in the National Water Strategy are to be implemented step by step until 2030.
The strategy is divided into the 10 strategic themes:
- Protect, restore and ensure a semi-natural water regime for the long term – prevent water scarcity and conflicting goals
- Ensure that land use in rural and urban areas is compatible with water bodies and adapted to the climate
- Further develop sustainable management of water bodies – achieve and preserve good status
- Mitigate risks caused by pollutants
- Further develop water infrastructure adapted to the climate – protect against extreme events and ensure supply
- Link water, energy and substance cycles
- Strengthen efficient administrations, improve data flows, optimise legal frameworks and secure financing
- Intensify protection of marine areas (North and Baltic Seas) from pollutants from land
- Raise awareness of water as a resource
- Work together to protect global water resources for the long term
