Preparing Cities for Water Scarcity: A Look at Municipal Drought Preparedness Measures
Drought Adaptation Measures Implemented in Baden-Württemberg, Germany
In response to the ongoing drought and the threat it poses to water-dependent habitats and species, several districts in Baden-Württemberg have taken measures to conserve water and adapt to the changing climate.
Water Conservation Appeals and Regulations
The Enz district, Freiburg, and the town hall in Dietingen have all urged residents to use water responsibly due to low water levels in streams and lakes. The district office of Böblingen has even imposed a water withdrawal ban from June 1 to the end of September, prohibiting the use of water from streams and rivers for irrigation of horticultural or agricultural areas.
Climate Adaptation Strategies
Freiburg presented its new climate adaptation strategy in April, which is a roadmap for climate adaptation in the coming years. The strategy identifies ten action areas, six of which have a very high need for adaptation due to drought consequences in urban greenery, agriculture and forestry, nature conservation and biodiversity, water management and urban water management, and technical infrastructure. The strategy includes around 300 measures, about 100 of which deal with the consequences of drought, water scarcity, and low water levels.
Improving Water Management Infrastructure
Current water supply in Baden-Württemberg involves infrastructures such as reservoirs, groundwater usage, weirs, dams, and pumping systems that regulate water distribution and pressure. For example, Karlsruhe's water utilities have advanced filtration and automated control systems to maintain stable supply under varying conditions. ENBW is expanding pumped storage facilities at the Schwarzenbachtalsperre reservoir to increase temporary water storage capacity, which can help during dry periods.
Enhancing Urban Green Spaces
Projects like the mobile exhibitions in the Upper Rhine region promote awareness and practical advice on climate adaptation measures. These focus on enhancing urban green spaces and trees, which contribute to climate resilience by improving soil infiltration and reducing urban heat and flood risks. Concepts like “sponge city” designs with permeable pavements and green infrastructure are highlighted as innovative solutions for water management and drought adaptation.
Nature-Based Solutions
There are calls from organizations such as Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) to improve nature-based solutions by creating more space for rivers, implementing better monitoring systems, and enhancing renaturalization efforts to cope not just with drought but also with flood risks, which remain significant in Baden-Württemberg.
Strengthening Climate Policies
While climate protection measures in Germany are currently deemed inadequate and not sufficient to meet national climate targets by 2030, there is ongoing research and policy development aimed at better integrating climate adaptation into regional planning. This includes climate plans with numerous measures toward climate neutrality and resilience that, if implemented effectively, will benefit drought adaptation in affected regions like Baden-Württemberg.
In summary, drought adaptation in Baden-Württemberg involves a combination of improved water infrastructure, urban green space management, nature-based solutions, and strengthened climate policies—although there remains a need for more ambitious and effective actions to fully address the challenges.
Municipalities in Baden-Württemberg, such as Freiburg, are not only implementing water conservation initiatives but also developing climate adaptation strategies that encompass various sectors, including health-and-wellness, with a focus on urban greenery and trees for climate resilience. These strategies also address environmental-science concerns, like drought consequences in agriculture and nature conservation, and advocate for nature-based solutions like creating space for rivers. Moreover, associated research in science, specifically climate change and environmental science, is ongoing, with a goal of integrating climate adaptation into regional planning, which could lead to stronger climate policies for the future.
