Water supply concept – basics
A water supply concept – often simply referred to as a water concept – is a comprehensive, strategic plan with the aim of ensuring the sustainable and reliable supply of high-quality drinking water to a region. In Germany, it plays a central role in the provision of services of general interest and helps to ensure that all citizens have access to clean and affordable water. Such concepts are based on well-founded analyses of current and future water requirements and include a large number of planning and organizational measures. It is not just about the technical provision of drinking water, but also about taking ecological, economic and social framework conditions into account.
A good water supply concept thinks long-term, creates transparency in planning and helps municipalities and supply companies to respond to challenges such as climate change, demographic changes or conflicts of use at an early stage.
Objectives of a water supply concept
In order to guarantee the supply of drinking water in the long term, the challenges posed by increasing water demand, climate change, infrastructural wear and tear as well as legal and economic framework conditions must be taken into account. The key aspects include:
1. securing the water supply: Planning must guarantee that the water requirements of all users, from private households to industry and agriculture, are adequately met at all times.
2. quality assurance: Drinking water is subject to strict quality regulations in Germany, particularly in accordance with the Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV). A water supply concept must integrate measures to comply with these standards.
3. sustainability: resource conservation is a key aspect. Concepts should organize drinking water production and consumption in such a way that water resources are used optimally and preserved in the long term.
4. economy and efficiency: The water supply should be cost-efficient. Infrastructure maintenance and long-term financial planning play a key role here.
5. adaptation to climate change: Due to climate change, concepts must increasingly be adapted to periods of drought and changes in precipitation patterns.
Development of a water supply concept
A comprehensive water supply concept is made up of several key components:
1. analysis of water demand
A precise determination of demand is essential for planning. This involves analyzing current consumption data and drawing up forecasts that take future demand trends into account. Factors such as population growth, industrial development and climatic changes are included in the demand forecasts.
2. recording and evaluating water resources
In this step, an inventory of the available water resources is carried out. This includes groundwater resources, surface water sources and possible reserves. In addition, the quality of the water resources is checked in order to assess their suitability for drinking water supply. Any protective measures required to prevent contamination, such as the designation of water protection areas, are identified.
3. technical infrastructure
A water supply concept includes a detailed inventory and assessment of the technical infrastructure. This includes the pipe networks, pumping stations, water treatment plants and elevated tanks. To ensure a reliable supply, these facilities must always be maintained and, if necessary, modernized or expanded. The infrastructure planning also takes future requirements into account in order to ensure an efficient water supply in the long term.
4. water treatment and quality assurance
Water quality plays a central role. Depending on the origin of the water, various treatment steps are required to ensure drinking water quality in accordance with legal regulations. The measures can include filtration, disinfection or softening. In addition, concepts are developed for monitoring water quality and identifying potential risks.
5. emergency planning and resilience
A water supply concept must also take possible incidents into account. These include technical failures, extreme weather events or other unforeseen events that could jeopardize the water supply. Emergency measures include securing reserve capacities, setting up emergency plans and cooperating with neighboring suppliers.
6. financing plan and economic aspects
Water supply is cost-intensive, as both the infrastructure and ongoing operations need to be financed. A long-term financing plan ensures that funds are available for the maintenance, modernization and expansion of the infrastructure. At the same time, the fee structure is designed in such a way that water costs remain socially acceptable for consumers.
7. environmental protection and nature conservation
A modern water supply concept also sets ecological priorities, such as the protection of natural water resources, the reduction of water losses and the sustainable use of water. Measures such as the protection of catchment areas, the renaturation of water bodies and the prevention of pollutant discharges contribute to the conservation of natural water resources.
Legal and municipal framework conditions
In Germany, water suppliers are predominantly municipal companies that operate as part of public services. Water supply is subject to various legal regulations, such as the Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV), the Federal Water Act (WHG) and the respective state water laws. These laws regulate quality standards, monitoring obligations and the protection of water resources.
In addition, there are often regional peculiarities that are laid down in the municipal statutes. Among other things, these statutes regulate the fee structures, responsibilities and tasks of the water suppliers. In cities and municipalities, the terms “municipal water supply concept” or “municipal water concept” are therefore often used.
Challenges and future developments
When drawing up water supply concepts, it is increasingly necessary to respond to challenges such as climate change, urbanization and the protection of water resources. Extreme weather events such as heat waves and dry spells, as well as heavy rainfall events, present water suppliers with new challenges. In regions particularly affected by drought, strategies for water storage, the expansion of water reservoirs and the promotion of rainwater harvesting are necessary.
Demographic change, particularly in rural areas, is also affecting the water supply. Falling population figures lead to a decline in water demand, which often jeopardizes the profitability of existing infrastructures. A flexible and adaptable water supply concept is therefore essential in order to secure the water supply in the long term.
Link: Water supply concept of the district town of Steinfurt
Link: Water supply of the city of Frankfurt am Main
Ingenieurbüro IWR: Our topics in the field of water supply