Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 12.2 Water losses in the public drinking water networks in EU countries (VEWA-Studie
2006 , as cited in Althoff 2007 ) Note * Extractions for operational purposes and fire control are
rated as losses
of the aquifers did not have enough water. The status of surface water is such that
88 percent of water bodies achieved a
chemical status, while only 10 per-
cent of all surface water bodies had obtained at least a
good
ecological status
(BMU 2014 ). Over the past 10 years, heavy metal pollution as well as pollution
from organic pollutants (i.e. benzene, PCB, chlorine pesticides or organic com-
pounds) of surface water bodies has decreased signi
good
cantly; this has led to an
increase in oxygen concentration that is vital for the survival of
sh and other
aquatic animals. However, there is still room for improvement of surface water
quality in Germany.
12.2.3 Security of Supply
Compared to other European countries, Germany has high technical standards of
treatment and distribution as well as a well-maintained distribution network of
pipes. The water losses caused by burst pipes and leakage have reduced consid-
erably from 600 to 495 millions of cubic meters during the period 1990
2004. As a
result, German citizens have not experienced a long-term interruption of water
supply. Compared to other European countries, water losses 2 in Germany are
6.8 percent, which is the lowest rate of loss in Europe, followed by Denmark with
9 percent. The low water
-
losses in Germany are due to investments into
2 It should be noted that water loss is a most important indicator of network quality and security of
supply.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search