The drought in the summer months of 2018 and 2019 has made it clear that water use conflicts may increase in Germany in the future. Restrictions on water withdrawals from surface waters, bottlenecks in agricultural irrigation and impairment of goods traffic via waterways are just a few examples of that trend. WADKlim investigates the effects of drought and dryness on water supply, soil water balance and groundwater availability in Germany and develops solution strategies for emerging conflicts of use.

The project provides an overview of the current water availability in Germany, as well as its future development under climate change conditions. It predicts emerging conflicts of use and develops possible solution strategies. For example, a concept for regional water advisory councils will be developed. These are intended to avoid water conflicts by enabling representatives of water-relevant sectors to exchange information. In addition, options for reusing water for irrigation in urban areas are being examined.

Ecologic Institute is leading the project, which is being conducted jointly with Forschungszentrum Jülich, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Technische Universität Berlin and Fresh Thoughts Consulting.

The expected results include:

• the representation of renewable water availability in Germany (today and in the future) in map form,
• a catalog of measures to avoid and reduce water use conflicts,
• a prioritization approach for uses in case of water-related use conflicts,
• a risk management approach for water reuse in urban areas, and
• recommendations for the use of treated wastewater in urban areas.