Water management

The water management refers to the management of the water by the people . There are four areas:

the management of surface and underground waters ,
the drinking water production and distribution,
the management of wastewater .
the drainage of areas with high rainfall or irrigation of areas with little rainfall.

In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the issues of water management are represented by the respective non-profit associations: German Association for Water Management, Sewage and Waste , Austrian Water and Waste Management Association and Swiss Water Management Association.

Water management

Lakes and rivers as surface waters have been managed in Europe since Roman times . To do this, they are designed so that

Transports are simplified, mostly through water engineering measures , such as river straightening or the installation of barrages , locks or ship lifts ;
the food production is improved, for instance by irrigation or drainage of fields or the conditioning of fish ponds;
Energy generation z. B. is made possible by water mills and hydropower plants ;
in many cases, artificial bodies of water are used for flood protection and to increase low water levels ;
in recent times recreational use for sailors , anglers etc. is offered.

The various goals of water management in the use of water bodies are coordinated with the water management plan.

Since the end of the 20th century, the hydraulic engineering changes that were carried out in earlier times have been reduced again in Germany, straightening has been canceled, rivers are allowed to meander again . Above all, these renaturation measures have a positive effect on flood protection, as near-natural river systems reduce peak runoff (flood peaks). However, the duration of the flood is extended. Fluid mechanics plays an important role in this context .

The management of underground waters , i.e. the groundwater , usually takes place within the framework of drinking water extraction or rainwater management .

Drinking water production

This describes the extraction, treatment and distribution of drinking water in human settlement areas. The WHO has created a guideline for drinking-water quality.

The drinking water is subject to many developed countries the official monitoring .

In some cases, the municipalities in Germany only have a monitoring function or the duty to organize the water supply themselves. Due to tight municipal budgets, among other things, there have been isolated privatizations in the water supply and disposal sector in recent years .

Industrial water production

Industrial companies , power plants , agriculture and other commercial consumers require large quantities of process water . Since lower or different requirements are placed on this water in terms of quality, composition and temperature, z. T. water promoted with little or no treatment effort.

Wastewater management

The wastewater management includes the collection, the forwarding via sewerage and the treatment of wastewater as well as the disposal of the degradation products.

Rainwater management

The collection, if necessary cleaning and seepage of rainwater into the groundwater, the retention of rainwater before it is discharged into surface water or the use of rainwater (e.g. for irrigation purposes) are tasks of rainwater management. Measures for the management of rainwater are often used in connection with the planning of surface sealing such as B. Edited new buildings or road construction .