Nitrate danger for drinking water: Alarm in Unterallgäu!

Nitrate danger for drinking water: Alarm in Unterallgäu!

In the last few days there was a sudden rain shower on the Memmingen gravel plain, which not only soaked the ground, but also had serious consequences for the quality of drinking water. Reports from BR show that nitrate pollution in groundwater is increasing alarmingly. Experts from the Kempten Water Management Office have been observing an increase in nitrate concentrations for around 15 years, which now exceed the tolerable guideline values ​​in three quarters of the areas examined.

Water is vital for around 80,000 people in the region, including the city of Memmingen. But the rising groundwater readings are alarmingly approaching the limit values, requiring immediate action. What many people don't know: Nitrate is not only considered a health hazard, especially for infants, but is also classified as carcinogenic. The main cause of this problem lies in the intensification of agriculture, especially in the Bad Grönenbach region.

Causes of nitrate pollution

Agricultural practices are crucial to the quality of our drinking water. Excessive use of manure and fertilizers causes nitrates to leach into groundwater. According to a study by the DVGW Germany is the third largest agricultural exporter in the world, with around 200 million cattle, pigs and poultry, all of which have a major influence on manure production.

But it's not just animal husbandry that is affected. The cultivation of energy crops such as silage maize, which is used for biogas production, also requires large amounts of fertilizer. Biogas plants in particular contribute to increasing nutrient surpluses in many regions. This not only impacts groundwater, but also damages the environment as a whole by driving eutrophication of water bodies.

The demands of environmental associations

The situation has already led to an outcry: the Federal Nature Conservation Association is calling for an expansion of the water protection area in order to limit the spread of manure. It is also suggested that funding be linked to environmental and animal welfare services. However, the farmers' association in Lower Allgäu is skeptical about the demands of nature conservation. He argues that environmental friendliness cannot be measured solely by the size of the company and warns of possible economic dangers for smaller companies from new requirements.

At the same time, the farmers' association signals a willingness to talk and is open to changes in fertilization if this serves to protect drinking water. This is particularly important because, according to the Federal Environment Ministry's 2024 nitrate report, 25.6 percent of the measuring points already show increased nitrate concentrations.

There is a need for action

The reports clearly show that there is a need for action. Most groundwater resources in Germany are in poor condition, which makes treatment not only difficult but also expensive. Measures to reduce nitrate pollution could result in additional costs for consumers as water suppliers are forced to implement complex processes to purify drinking water.

In polluted areas, farmers must reduce fertilization by up to a fifth and use methods such as cover crops or no-till to reduce nitrogen losses. These challenges must be overcome in order to ensure drinking water quality in the long term.

The future of drinking water in the Lower Allgäu lies in the hands of politicians and administration, who are called upon to find suitable solutions. A responsible approach to agricultural practices and close cooperation between environmentalists and agriculture are essential to overcome this threatening situation together.