The law aims to better protect water as a vital resource and prepare for weather extremes such as drought and heavy rain. Christian Meyer (Greens) said: ‘The climate crisis and the associated water crisis are accelerating.’ Among other things, the law is intended to strengthen irrigation associations for farmers and introduce stricter checks on water withdrawals.
For private households, fees may in future be more closely tied to consumption: those who use little water get a cheaper tariff, while high consumption risks higher costs. In case of water scarcity, municipalities may continue to restrict the watering of gardens and pools.
The CDU and AfD voted against the law. Frank Schmädeke (CDU) criticized that farm operations with water withdrawals exceeding 5,000 cubic meters per year will now have to measure the amount withdrawn. ‘Previously permit-free water withdrawals are being further restricted,’ Schmädeke said. Ingo Kerzel (AfD) called the law a ‘politically overloaded compromise.’
Source: www.ndr.de
