the Nitrate Initiative
- the Project -
The initiative is backed by a trade union, 10 environmental associations, and a water management association. Our common goal is to limit the nitrate concentration in our waters. With targeted contributions and campaigns, we are trying to draw attention to the need for water- and environmentally-friendly agriculture, because…
The protection of water resources is a precious commodity!
Our goals and achievements
Our goal:
To reduce nitrate inputs sustainably and comply with the limit value of 50 milligrams per liter in groundwater.
Our achievements:
We are implementing specific mitigation measures and reducing further nitrate inputs.
The nitrate problem
Background
Extreme fertilization pollutes soil and groundwater. For decades, too much nitrate has been applied in many regions, threatening our drinking water resources.
An initiative of the BDEW
Nitrate in our groundwater – a highly relevant and problematic issue.
Martin Weyand, Managing Director for Water/Wastewater at BDEW, makes this clear:
“It is unacceptable that consumers should have to pay for the sins of industrial agriculture. Since the 1970s, some regions have been systematically overfertilised. We are now feeling the consequences: the soil is overloaded and can hardly break down nitrate anymore. Politicians must finally take action!”
Extreme fertilisation threatens our drinking water resources. How can water protection and agriculture be reconciled?
As part of the Nitrate Initiative, the BDEW is committed to water- and environmentally-friendly agriculture and a sustainable reduction in nitrate inputs.
