Continental

Berlin-Brandenburg, DE
The Berlin-Brandenburg region faces reduced river flows and drought due to low natural water flow and rising temperatures. With a reliance on groundwater and a partially closed water management cycle, the area is increasingly pressured by climate change impacts.

Introduction

The metropolitan Berlin-Brandenburg region in the north-eastern German lowlands has a relatively high surface area of rivers and lakes. Main rivers flowing through Berlin are Spree and Havel. However, natural flow is low and increasing temperatures have led to higher evaporation rates and drought periods resulting in reduced river flows. In addition, the nearby open pit mine in Lausitz stays dry by pumping its groundwater into the river Spree. On average, one third of the river water is coming from the open pit mine. Due to Germany’s decision to exit coal production until 2038, the pit mine in Lausitz will also end its operation resulting in further reduced river flow in the Spree river.​

For production of drinking water, Berlin mainly relies on riverbank filtration and groundwater recharge using surface water as main sources. As some of the surface waters used for bank filtration are impacted by treated wastewater discharged upstream by wastewater treatment plants, the water cycle is partially closed. When river flows decrease, the water quality in affected rivers decreases as well due to higher shares of treated wastewater resulting in increasing challenges for water management.​

​To address these challenges, Berlin developed the “Masterplan Wasser”, Berlin’s comprehensive strategic framework for future water management. The plan includes over 30 concrete measures for securing drinking water supply, protecting water bodies, and adapting wastewater management. Significant investments are proposed to enhance water and resource protection, aiming to close knowledge gaps, minimize uncertainties, and develop adaptive measures for future challenges.

Relevant general contact information: KWB

Water Challenges

Berlin’s large population is expected to grow, meaning more wastewater will be produced that is discharged to Berlin rivers. In addition, the natural flow decreases especially during hot summer months and increasing drought periods. Both results in increasing shares of treated wastewater in Berlin’s surface waters. This raises the risk that micropollutants, such as trace residues from pharmaceutical products, will end up in water works which mainly produce drinking water via bank filtration using surface waters as water source. This potentially decreases the volume of drinking water that can be produced in sufficient quality.​

Quantity of water is the greatest concern:​

  • In recent dry years the flow of surface waters was already half of the long-term average due to increasing drought periods in the summer.​
  • The growing population will require more water for domestic use and for industry.​
  • The city’s growing water demand already conflicts with the water needs for new industries, waterways usage (shipping, tourism) and natural habitats in the region. ​
  • The amount of water available is expected to reduce within a few years, when the nearby Lausitz pit mine closes and stops pumping its groundwater into the river Spree.​

Climate change is expected to exacerbate the situation by increasing the duration and frequency of droughts through higher temperatures and reduced precipitation.

Solutions

Adaptation Pathways

Impact chains (IC)

Ensuring Safe and Sufficient Drinking Water in Berlin: Understanding the Impact Chain 

Climate change is putting increasing pressure on Berlin’s water resources. Rising temperatures, longer droughts, and more extreme rainfall events are key hazards that directly affect the availability and quality of drinking water in the city. This impact chain illustrates how these climate-driven changes — interacting with local infrastructure, urban development, and ecosystem dynamics — combine to create significant risks for urban water security. 

As temperatures rise, evaporation from urban water systems increases, while water demand grows—not only due to heatwaves, but also because of Berlin’s growing population. Meanwhile, more variable rainfall patterns also resulting in prolonged drought periods especially during summers reduce flows in rivers, which are a key source of surface water. This limits availability and disrupts natural filtration processes at riverbanks. It also hampers groundwater recharge, further reducing the amount of water that can be sustainably extracted for supply. 

Berlin’s exposure to these risks is shaped by the volume of available groundwater and surface water, and the number of people who depend on them. But just as important are the vulnerabilities within the urban water system. These include high water demand across sectors, the sealing of soils in highly urbanised areas (which prevents infiltration), and the discharge of stormwater and treated wastewater, including from combined sewer overflows. 

Another critical aspect is the city’s capacity to adapt. There is a need for improved understanding of the urban water cycle, especially as interactions between surface water, groundwater, infrastructure, and human behaviour become more complex. Likewise, further research is needed to fully grasp the filtration potential of green spaces and vegetated areas. Berlin also remains heavily dependent on local water sources, particularly those relying on riverbank filtration. At the same time, sustainable urban planning practices are not yet fully aligned with the evolving challenges of climate resilience. 

Altogether, these factors contribute to a growing risk to the availability and safety of drinking water in Berlin. The impact chain highlights the need for integrated strategies that bring together climate adaptation, water resource management, and urban planning. A more holistic and forward-looking approach is essential to ensure a secure and sustainable water future for the city. 

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This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101037084
Funded in the EU Horizon 2020 Green Deal call