20260818 Geheimverträge "verschenken" unser Wasser

18.08.2026 Geheimverträge "verschenken" unser Wasser

State Government Is Giving Away Groundwater For Nearly Nothing Despite Water Stress

Will the people of Brandenburg have to get their water from the Spree, Havel, or Elbe in the future, just like this farmer in Ghana? Foodwatch.org points out that, according to BUND, groundwater stress already exists in 15 of Brandenburg’s 18 regions. Nevertheless, corporations in Brandenburg pay only about 10 cents per cubic meter for water. In Berlin, companies pay three times as much, and private households — including wastewater — pay around 4 euros — that is, 40 times as much — for these 1,000 liters.

That is why residents in Baruth, Brandenburg, are protesting the fact that of the approximately 2.5 million cubic meters of groundwater that the Baruth water utility is permitted to pump annually, 92 percent is allocated to Red Bull and its partner company Rauch, while only 8 percent goes to private households. As a result, even more water is lost than Tesla is allowed to use in Grünheide, according to Foodwatch.org.

Even now, while the Freedom of Information Act (IFG) — which is under threat from the federal government — is still in effect, it is not possible to gain access to the contracts between the city of Baruth and the corporations. How long is this dependence supposed to last? Rumor has it that it will last 25 years. Meanwhile, it has come to light that Red Bull now also wants to have cans manufactured in Baruth. To do so, 16 hectares of pine forest are to be cleared. The new factory would even be partially located within a water protection area.

In any case, we need transparency. People’s basic needs — whether they concern electricity, water, heat, or housing — must not be jeopardized for the benefit of corporations.

We would also like to draw attention to the extensive collection of sources on this topic available via the linked article from Foodwatch.org.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)