Fresh drinking water for Memmingen: Wells are being checked and expanded!

Fresh drinking water for Memmingen: Wells are being checked and expanded!

A new chapter in water supply is currently being opened in Memmingen. With rising temperatures and climate change, the city has given public fountains a proper review to ensure they are usable as drinking water fountains. How Allgäu hit reported, the water from these sources is now provided under strict conditions, and the fountain at Schmiedplatz has already received the green light for use as a drinking water fountain.

But how did this initiative actually come about? The Greens/Left faction has submitted a motion to encourage the city to take responsibility and set a good example. At the most recent meeting of the Construction, Planning and Environment Committee, how water supplies can be managed sustainably was discussed. This shows that water in Memmingen is not only an everyday commodity, but also a valuable resource that needs to be protected Allgäu newspaper determines.

The importance of drinking water fountains

The need for drinking water wells is reinforced by the experiences of recent years. The dry year of 2018, which was considered a real stress test for the water supply in Germany, has caused many municipalities to think about their water reserves. Increasingly hot summers and increasing demand for water make it necessary to carefully plan water supplies. The German Gas and Water Association (DVGW) emphasizes that future dry phases may well become a reality, which will put water supplies to the test.

Memmingen has already taken the first steps. The city health department has checked the water quality in several places, and additional fountains below St. Martin's Church and at the forest cemetery are being planned. In addition to being marked with a “drinking water” sign, these wells provide a vital source of supply during hot periods when water is considered a public but increasingly scarce resource.

Public drinking water dispensers – a step in the right direction

The city of Memmingen already offers special drinking water dispensers for public supply, which are installed both on Theaterplatz and in the shooting range garden. An additional drinking water dispenser at Rübezahlplatz has already been set up and should go into operation soon. These measures are an important contribution to offering citizens fresh water in the hot summer months and at the same time raising awareness of the valuable raw material water.

In summary, it shows that the city of Memmingen is on the right track. However, given the challenges posed by climate change and associated extreme weather events, water utilities and municipalities must continue to work closely together. This is the only way the drinking water supply can be secured in the future, as the DVGW has made clear in its analyses. The initiative in Memmingen could serve as an example for other cities that also face similar challenges.