Drinking water and recycled water

Where does the water come from in the RhineMain region?

Drinking water for the FrankfurtRhineMain region is mainly provided from groundwater resources in the Hessisches Ried and Vogelsberg areas. Some rural areas are able to rely on local resources. Many water utilities are organized in supra-local or supra-regional associations in order secure the water supply for large cities as well.

Climate change alters precipitation

The effects of climate change drastically influence our future lives. While the increasing average temperature is well predictable, the effects on the water cycle are more difficult to foresee.

Currently, no trend for a change in annual average precipitation can be recognized. However, precipitation rates shift from summer to winter. Larger amounts of precipitation are expected during winter, while the summers will become drier. This directly influences the runoff regime of water bodies and threatens the supply from springs during dry periods.

Increasing groundwater fluctuations

According to current knowledge, in Germany groundwater recharge is not declining in general. However, less precipitation and increased water use during summer may lead to greater fluctuations in groundwater levels throughout the year. Current groundwater levels in Hesse can be obtained from the Hessian State Office for Nature Conservation, Environment and Geology.

Increasing use of water

As a result of higher temperatures and longer droughts, water use is increasing, especially in the summer months. According to the Rhine-Main water balance of the Darmstadt Regional Council, water use in 2018 was around 5 percent higher than the previous year. This was mainly due to the long-lasting drought in 2018. Only about 0.5 percent of the increase in water demand is caused by population growth. Therefore, strategies for a water supply adapted to climate change must be developed.