Institute for Sustainable Irrigation and Water Management in Rural Areas

There are four strategies for increasing water availability, which ideally complement each other.

Retain precipitation in the landscape

First and foremost is water retention in the landscape; not just sponge cities, but sponge landscapes are needed. The aim here is to keep precipitation in the landscape for longer instead of draining it away quickly. To achieve this, measures such as drainage systems, ditches and watercourse structures must be completely or partially dismantled wherever possible. It should be noted that most areas will continue to be utilised in some form and it is therefore not possible to completely dispense with water management measures. This is also a major issue in the rewetting of moors.

Efficient water use and minimising losses

Furthermore, the available water should be used efficiently and losses minimised. Many measures have already been implemented in agriculture in this area, insofar as they are economical, but there is still further potential that can be tapped and there is still a need for research in some areas.

Utilising alternative water resources

One area in which not so many measures have yet been implemented is the utilisation of alternative water resources, such as clear water from sewage treatment plants, process water, drainage water, water from water reservoirs or water from surface waters in the event of increased runoff. In the case of these alternative water resources, often only a portion is produced during the growing season and there is not always a simultaneous need for irrigation. It therefore makes sense to install reservoirs here in which the water is collected so that it can be used in a targeted manner during the irrigation period. Alternatively, the water can also be infiltrated and stored in the groundwater if the soil conditions allow it. There are problems with alternative water resources, particularly with regard to water quality, as some water sources still contain undesirable substances and require further purification before use.

Education and training

Linked to the above strategies is education and training, as it is important for practitioners to quickly implement the findings on water-saving management, new technologies and recommendations. Here, too, new concepts are required, e.g. for hybrid learning in classroom and online, as well as for the exchange of experience. All four strategies can in turn be supported and advanced by new possibilities of digitalisation and the use of artificial intelligence, and there is still great potential for development here too.