Well water in the Illertal: Be careful of harmful pollutants!

Well water in the Illertal: Be careful of harmful pollutants!

A hot topic concerns residents in the Illertal: the contamination of well water with solvents. The Neu-Ulm District Office has found alarming values ​​in recent studies. Between Bellenberg and Neu-Ulm, the levels of liquid and hydrocarbons can occasionally exceed the permissible limits, which really strains the nerves of garden owners. The areas around Senden are particularly affected, where levels can reach up to 198 micrograms per liter.

Garden lovers and well owners should therefore be particularly careful: the water from the wells should under no circumstances be used as drinking water. Extreme caution is also required when watering fruit and vegetables, as contaminated groundwater can pose health risks. Anyone staying in the affected areas should also consider how and what the water will be used for so as not to unnecessarily endanger themselves and their loved ones.

Causes of contamination

The contamination in the groundwater mainly comes from former industrial areas, such as a watch factory in Senden or the contaminated sites in Bellenberg. This situation is not new: For several years now, limit values ​​have been exceeded, which have been detected during annual controls. However, tap water from the public water supply fortunately remains unaffected and can be used without any concerns.

But the problem of groundwater pollution is not just a local phenomenon. Like that Federal Environment Agency reported, groundwater reserves across Germany are exposed to many pressures, particularly due to diffuse inputs of nitrogen from agriculture. Over 80 kg of nitrate per hectare per year is used here, which not only endangers the environment but also people's health. The nitrite converted in the body can be harmful, especially for infants.

Recommendations for garden owners

The district office therefore recommends some simple but effective precautionary measures for garden owners in the affected areas:

• Nicht als Trinkwasser verwenden
• Gemüse und Obst nicht mit Brunnenwasser gießen oder waschen
• Das belastete Wasser nicht zum Baden, Duschen oder Tränken von Tieren verwenden

The situation should not be underestimated and should be taken seriously. If you want to find out more about the exact values ​​in your area, you can view them at the Neu-Ulm district office or get advice by calling 0731/7040-35103.

In addition, it is important to keep an eye on the risks arising from modern agricultural practices, such as intensive fertilization for energy production. These activities not only lead to an increase in pollutants in groundwater, but also to stress on local ecosystems, such as Planet knowledge impressively illustrated.

It remains to be hoped that through continuous monitoring and increased awareness of the problem, the quality of groundwater can be sustainably improved in the future.