Germany’s rivers are dying - Pollution, extinction and the fight for clean water | DW Documentary

Key Concepts

• River health assessment
• Water pollution (salinity, industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, micro pollutants)
• EU Water Framework Directive
• Renaturalization of rivers
• Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis
• Forever chemicals (PFAS)
• Non-target screening
• Technical extension of pesticide approvals
• Lobbying by chemical industry
• Sustainable agriculture
• Habitat quality
• Citizen science

Vera River Pollution: A Case Study

The Problem: Salinity and Industrial Discharge

The Vera River, flowing through White Mountain Country in Germany, is heavily polluted, primarily due to high salinity levels. This makes it difficult for freshwater fish and plants to thrive. The river's pollution spikes at kilometer marker 61, indicating a specific source of contamination.

• Salinity Impact: High salinity causes eels to be more resistant while strong freshwater fish become rare. Sheep drinking from the river can develop diarrhea, potentially leading to death.
• EU Directive Failure: Despite an EU directive mandating the restoration of all German rivers to good health by 2027, only 8% of the country's rivers are considered healthy. The Vera is one of the most unhealthy.

Source of Pollution: K+S Potash Mining

K+S (Karly and Zoutz), a major potash producer, is identified as a primary polluter. The company operates a mine in Philips Tal, and its waste disposal practices significantly impact the Vera.

• Waste Heaps: K+S maintains two waste heaps, one 220 meters high, intended to protect the river. However, these heaps discharge saline water, ten times saltier than the North Sea, into the Vera.
• Discharge Volumes: K+S discharges almost 3 billion liters of diluted tailings into the Vera annually.
• Mitigation Efforts: K+S is attempting to cover the waste piles to prevent rainwater leakage, but the project is considered too slow by local residents. The company claims to have invested 180 million euros in a plant to extract salt from wastewater, reducing wastewater by 20% per year, but this method is not used for the tailings due to economic reasons.

Local Resistance and Mistrust

Locals downstream have been fighting for decades for better water protection. They have observed damaged fish, with 11% showing abscesses.

• Fish Damage: "We've got proof of 11% damage in La Vera 11% of all fish have been damaged."
• Continued Discharge: K+S plans to continue discharging for another 30 years, leading to significant mistrust among the local population.
• Expansion Concerns: K+S recently received permission to expand one of its tailing mountains, raising further concerns.

Legal Challenges

BUND Hessa, a nature conservation agency, has filed six lawsuits against the approval of K+S's plans to increase its artificial mountain by 70%.

• Arguments: BUND Hessa argues that the waste heaps should not be expanded and that K+S lacks a proper waste disposal concept.
• K+S's Defense: K+S claims that storing the spoil pile underground is not economically feasible and that the company needs to remain competitive with suppliers from Russia and Belarus. They also state that 4,500 jobs depend on their operations.

Controversial Materials

K+S plans to use slag from waste incineration plants, contaminated with heavy metals, to seal the flanks of the waste piles.

• Environmental Concerns: Critics question the use of materials containing heavy metals, which could leach into the river.
• K+S's Justification: K+S argues that there are no alternatives and that they can manage the heavy metals, considering them a short-term problem.

Public Protests and Political Pressure

Protests have been organized to draw attention to the water pollution caused by K+S. Environmentalists argue that the council in Castle, where K+S is based, prioritizes corporate interests over the health of the river.

• Council's Position: The council claims to follow the law and maintain constant contact with K+S, balancing environmental concerns with the region's economic clout and food security.

Nationwide River Protection Campaign

Citizen Involvement and eDNA Analysis

A nationwide river protection campaign was launched, encouraging citizens to examine small waterways. The University of Dborg Essen used environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis to assess the biodiversity of 30 small waterways.

• eDNA Methodology: A single liter of water contains the DNA of all living creatures in and around the stream, providing a fast, effective, and informative method for biodiversity testing.

Fish Die-Offs and Agricultural Runoff

Several fishing clubs observed mass fish die-offs, characterized by open mouths and protruding gill covers, indicating suffocation.

• Cause: Heavy rain fell on intensively fertilized grass being grown for high-performance dairy cows. The nutrient-rich grass rotted, and the resulting liquid seeped into the streams.
• Legal Loopholes: No one was held accountable, as the practices were legal.

Addressing Agricultural Practices

Farmers are being encouraged to change their methods to reduce nutrient runoff. Meetings have been held to discuss the issue, and there is agreement that changes are needed.

Pesticide Use and Forever Chemicals (PFAS)

Wine-Growing Regions and Fluopyram

In wine-growing regions along the Rine, Mosul, and Mine rivers, pesticide use is common. The fungicide fluopyram, used to prevent fungal infestation, is believed to still be damaging plants ten years later.

• Side Effects: Fluopyram is causing misshapen plants and crop damage.
• Forever Chemicals: Fluopyram is classified as a forever chemical (PFAS), which is heat-resistant, almost indestructible, and remains in the environment for a long time. PFAS have been found in human blood, breast milk, and Arctic ice.

Bayer's Response

Bayer, the parent company of Biocrop Science, claims that wine growers with justified claims have been compensated and that the formulation has been adjusted. They argue that fluopyram is an important active ingredient for protecting crops and that when used properly, it poses no risk to humans or the environment.

• Environmental Concerns: Fluopyram can harm aquatic organisms and is classified as toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects.

Non-Target Screening and Micro pollutants

A research project in Corblence uses non-target screening to record all microtraces carried in by the Rine River.

• Methodology: Scientists monitor the river water for any sudden changes in the presence of substances.
• Order River Fish Kill: This method was used to identify toxins produced by golden algae as the cause of a fish kill in the Order River.
• Fluopyram Detection: Researchers have found fluopyram distributed throughout Germany in various rivers.

Regulatory Loopholes and Technical Extensions

Many pesticides have regulatory approvals that have expired, but authorities grant technical extensions because they lack the resources to re-evaluate the substances.

• Environmental Pressure: Environmental groups are suing the EU Commission for allowing fluopyram to remain on the market.
• Lobbying Efforts: The chemical industry invests heavily in lobbying in Europe to prevent stricter regulations.

The Emir River Renaturalization Project

A River Beyond Help

The Emir River, flowing through Germany's most densely populated region, was considered beyond help due to pollution from power stations and households.

• Renaturalization Efforts: A 5 billion euro project is underway to liberate the river from its narrow artificial bed and restore it to a more natural state.
• Biodiversity Recovery: The river is recovering, with over 800 plant and animal species identified.

Pharmaceutical Residues and Wastewater Treatment

Even after treatment, pharmaceutical residues are still discharged into the Emir River. German officials want to add a fourth purification stage to remove these micro pollutants, but the process is expensive.

• Cost Allocation: Water management associations believe that the companies that manufacture the substances should be held accountable.
• Industry Resistance: The German Chemicals Industry Association argues that society should bear the responsibility for medical care.

Sustainable Agriculture and Farmer Involvement

Farmers are being encouraged to adopt more sustainable practices, such as planting protective strips along riverbanks and fertilizing less.

• Research Projects: Farmers are participating in research projects to test innovative approaches, such as using clover and rib wart plantain to prevent runoff.

National Assessment and Future Directions

Habitat Quality and Public Involvement

A national campaign collected data on the health of over 2,700 streams across Germany. The results showed that three out of four streams do not offer a good habitat for fish and insects.

• Habitat vs. Water Quality: Both good water quality and good habitat quality are necessary for a healthy river ecosystem.
• Citizen Engagement: The campaign revealed a strong public interest in river protection, which can be leveraged through local initiatives with national support.

Renaturalization Efforts

Renaturalization days are being organized to involve citizens in practical actions, such as preventing bank erosion.

• Helmhold Center Guidelines: The Helmhold Center is compiling guidelines for anyone interested in renaturalizing their local stream.

Conclusion

Germany's rivers face numerous challenges, including industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, and micro pollutants. While there have been improvements in some areas, such as the renaturalization of the Emir River, significant changes are needed to achieve the EU's water quality goals. This requires a multi-faceted approach involving stricter regulations, sustainable agricultural practices, industry accountability, and active citizen participation. The use of innovative technologies like eDNA analysis and non-target screening offers hope for better monitoring and identification of pollutants. Ultimately, saving Germany's rivers requires recognizing their vital role as the lifeblood of the country and taking decisive action to protect them.