Assessment of and Response to Climatic Impacts on Water Quality in Berlin
Olaf Wagnerand Alejandro Lorente
Abstract. Climatic changes will impact our water bodies and pose challenges for water resource managers. As public discourse is mostly focused on water supply, the impacts on water quality seem to be disregarded. As extreme weather conditions such as heavy rainfall can cause flooding, stormwater runoff, and combined sewer overflows in urban areas, climate impacts become water quality challenges. In Berlin, where a semi-closed water cycle relies on bank filtration, maintaining surface water quality is particularly critical. This study provides an overview of Berlin’s current surface water quality, key pollutants, and their sources, analyzing their connection to climate change trends. Furthermore, mitigation strategies, including advanced treatment technologies, digital monitoring, and flood management measures, are evaluated to enhance urban water resilience in a changing climate.
Received: 01 Feb 2025 – Discussion started: 27 Mar 2025
Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
The impact on water quality often gets overlooked in the context of climate change. In cities like Berlin, extreme weather—such as heavy rainfall—can lead to flooding, stormwater runoff, and sewer overflows, polluting rivers and lakes. We wrote this review to spotlight challenges and solutions. Proposed solutions, such as better treatment technologies, real-time water monitoring, and improved flood management, can help make the city’s water system more resilient to climate change.
The impact on water quality often gets overlooked in the context of climate change. In cities...
