Rhineland-Palatinate launches future water plan: 144 measures for the future!

Rhineland-Palatinate launches future water plan: 144 measures for the future!

With the introduction of the “Water Future Plan”, Rhineland-Palatinate has presented a comprehensive plan for future water management that responds to the challenges of climate change. The plan, presented on October 30, 2024 by Climate Protection Minister Katrin Eder, includes an extensive work program with 144 measures aimed at adapting water management to the changed climatic conditions. This is reported by the state government of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Developing the plan was not an easy process. After a year of intensive involvement from the State Office for the Environment and numerous contributions from civil society as well as technical discussions and workshops, over 2,500 comments were incorporated into the conceptualization of the plan. The aim is to secure the drinking water supply and to take precautions against extreme events such as drought and heavy rain. According to the information from LfU Rheinland-Pfalz, the measures are divided into several key areas of action.

Areas of focus and measures

• Stärkung des Wasserrückhalts in der Fläche
• Renaturierung von Gewässern und Auen
• Nachhaltige Steuerung und Bewirtschaftung von Wassernutzungen und Wasserverteilung
• Erhöhung des Bewusstseins für die Ressource Wasser

Of the plan's 144 measures, 81 are already being implemented, while 63 more are planned. These are divided into 36 short-term measures that are to be implemented by 2027, 23 medium-term measures by 2030 and 4 long-term measures beyond 2030. The specific measures include, for example, a digital flood and heavy rain risk check for homeowners as well as equipping groundwater measuring points with remote data transmission.

The Alliance for Water

The “Alliance for Water” was founded to coordinate the implementation of the “Water Future Plan”. This alliance brings together numerous relevant institutions, including state authorities, environmental associations, agricultural and fishing associations and business associations. The alliance aims to help shape change in water management in a structured manner and promotes exchange and transparent collaboration between the various stakeholders. Members can raise suggestions and concerns for discussion at regular meetings, which supports active participation in the plan.
The Allianz office is based in the Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy and Mobility and is supported in the initial phase by the Infrastructure and Environment Office in Darmstadt.

The urgency of these measures is also underlined by the projected impacts of climate change. Experts expect an increase in flood flows by over 40% by 2100 and a decrease in low flows by up to 60%. Eder emphasizes that this forward-looking plan is essential to sustainably use water resources and respond appropriately to the challenges of climate change.