Major Aspects of Urban Hydrogeology in Central Europe — Examples from Germany

Abstract

Fifteen case histories representative of urban groundwater conditions in Germany are presented in this paper. These include cities, towns, urban agglomerates, industrial centres and spas of different size and in a range of hydrogeological environments. Some are located in river plains overlying aquifers serving as public water supply. There are very few limitations on groundwater availability from a quantitative standpoint. However, groundwater quality of shallow aquifers can be detrimentally affected by complex sources of urban pollution. Sources of urban pollution (e.g. contaminated surface waters, bank storage and artificial recharge) have to be handled cautiously. In some cases, specific pollutants can be used to identify and possibly quantify sources of contamination. For example, drugs (clofibric acid) and gadolinium (organic complexes) in Berlin’s groundwater indicate the presence of contamination originating from sewage (treatment plants, sewage farms or sewer mains). Urban groundwater issues in Germany do not principally differ from those in other European countries, e.g. in the United Kingdom. However, town sizes in Germany are predominantly small and population densities exceed 2000 per km2 in just 26 (out of a total of 84) urban agglomerates, many of which are also industrial centres. A few of the centres have to import municipal supply water; others are lucky to have access to ample groundwater resources (Hamburg’s water supply is essentially from deep aquifers). Such towns need to protect and manage their groundwater resources. Environmental isotopes have proved especially useful for groundwater management and sustainable utilisation. Examples include Hamburg, Stuttgart and the Singen Basin. The latter two areas are the most progressive in this respect.