Abstract
For drinking water security the German waterworks proceed on a comprehensive concept, i.e., the protection of all the regions from the recharge area to the client. It includes the protection of the recharge area by a precautionary management, a safe water treatment, a strict maintenance of the water distribution network, continuous control and an intensive training of staff. Groundwater protection zones together with effective regulations and control play a very important role. Three protection zones with different restrictions in land-use are distinguished. Water in reservoirs and lakes is also protected by Surface Water Protection Zones. Within the surrounding area the land-use is controlled, too. Special treatment is necessary if acidification happens caused by acid rain, or eutrophication caused by the inflow of sewage. Very important is the collaboration between waterworks and the farmers cultivating land in the recharge area in order to execute water-protecting ecological farming with the aim to reduce the application of fertilizers and plant protection agents. Probable financial losses have to be compensated by the waterworks.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Balke, K.D., 2003. Surplus or Absence of Chemical Components in Water and its Consequences for Public Health. In: Balke, K.D., Zhu, Y. (Eds.), Water and Development. ISBN 7-116-03831-0/X·17, Geology Press, Beijing, p.36–42.
Balke, K.D., Griebler, C., 2003. Groundwater Use and Groundwater Protection. In: Griebler, C., Mösslacher, F. (Eds.), Groundwater Ecology. ISBN 3-8252-2111-3, Facultas UTB, Wien, p.495 (in German).
Balke, K.D., Zhu, Y., 2003. Sources of Water Pollution. In: Balke, K.D., Zhu, Y. (Eds.), Water and Development. ISBN 7-116-03831-0/X·17, Geology Press, Beijing, p.3–9.
Balke, K.D., Beims, U., Heers, F.W., Hoelting, B., Homrighausen, R., Matthess, G., 2000. Groundwater Development. Berlin-Stuttgart, p.740 (in German).
Deng, W., Bai, J.H., Yan, M.H., 2002. Problems and countermeasures of water resources for sustainable utilization in China. Chinese Geographical Science, 12(4):289–293. [doi:10.1007/s11769-002-0031-y]
Geological Survey of Baden-Wüerttemberg, 1991. Information, H. 2, Hydrogeological Rules for Water Protection Zones in Baden-Wüerttemberg. Freiburg (in German).
Prinz, D., Malik, A.H., 2003. Water and Development: A Global Prespective. In: Balke, K.D., Zhu, Y. (Eds.), Water and Development. ISBN 7-116-03831-0/X 17, Geology Press, Beijing, p.93–99.
Schmidt, H., Balke, K.D., 1980. Possibilities for artificial groundwater recharge and storage in Germany. Z. Dt. Geol. Ges., 131:93–109 (in German).
Schmidt, H., Balke, K.D., 1985. Standards and Laws of Artificial Groundwater Recharge in Germany. Environmental Office, UBA-FB 80-179, Berlin (in German).
Zhang, K., Wen, Z., Xhang, X., 2001. China’s water environment at the beginning of the 21st century: Challenges and countermeasures. Water Science and Technology, 46(11–12):245–251.
Zhu, Y., Balke, K.D., Barth, J., Grathwohl, P., Blum, P., 2007. Groundwater as Emergent Drinking Water Sources for Potential Nuclear Accidents. Poster for GQ2007, 6. Intern. IAHS Groundwater Quality Conference, Fremantle, Australia.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhu, Y., Balke, KD. Groundwater protection: What can we learn from Germany?. J. Zhejiang Univ. Sci. B 9, 227–231 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B0710639
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B0710639