Another questionable new law the Greens want to introduce: “Protecting our water is the top priority. We want to protect it from corporate exploitation, pollution and waste, and from the government of the earth, which has still not understood how important it is to protect the elixir of our life – l water, especially in the face of climate change,” Ludwig Hartmann, leader of the parliamentary group, told the publication Deutsche Presse-Agentur in Munich. The bill will be submitted to the state legislature no later than Trinity.
According to Ludwig Hartmann, leader of the parliamentary group, the water safety law is an innovation in Germany and a superstructure on existing decrees. Thus, “we are improving several state laws and prioritizing drinking water safety.”
The water safety law includes several fundamental factors.
Deep groundwater
New uses of deep waters should be prohibited. The only exception is the public water supply. The mixing of deep groundwater will only be permitted in special cases, which is already the case, for example, in the area of the Bavarian chemical triangle. “But this should remain an exception and therefore does not relieve the state government of the obligation to initiate all necessary measures to restore groundwater near the surface.”
Water protection zones
By 2030, 12% of the territory of the Federal State should be classified as water protection zones. This objective is firmly enshrined in law. “In Bavaria, there is currently only 5% of the territory with such areas. The number is too small.” Other lands, such as Hesse or Baden-Württemberg, reserve up to 20% of their territory for water protection zones. The allocation of these territories should be carried out by the authorities local.
Water extraction cost
If a company pumps groundwater near the surface, it should cost eight cents per cubic yard. If even more valuable deep water is used, it will have to pay one euro per cubic meter. The income collected can be invested in the restoration of groundwater bodies. In 13 of the 16 federal states, the water penny is standard practice – “so commercial users are encouraged to economize”.
Water pumping register
Currently, there is no central registry in Bavaria that would show who, where and how much water is pumped from the ground. “It’s like the Wild West. We simply don’t know how much groundwater is actually being pumped from our land. We would like to know for what and by whom our most precious common good is used,” says Hartmann.
Aquatic spies in Bavaria? And again, higher costs for companies that are already suffering from high energy prices in Germany? Hans Theiss (45), CSU spokesman for health policy in the mayor of Munich, believes that the demands of the Greens once again go too far.
In the usual restrictive way
Hans Theiss told BILD: “Our groundwater is a very valuable asset that needs to be protected. No wonder we have the best tap water in Munich. But the Greens, as usual, are throwing the baby out with the water. Instead of negotiating a reasonable compromise with all parties involved, they go after businesses and insult everyone in their usual restrictive way. Indiscriminate ideological activity with foam in its mouth has rarely led to a solution to problems.
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