A total failure of the power supply – and the waterworks are also affected by the blackout. Where do you get drinking water from now? In the event of a disaster, the federal and state governments have so-called emergency wells ready. In fact. Because many don’t work at all!
By Birgit Bürkner and Johannes Malinowski
In many places, the handle pumps in the city area are perceived as historical remnants. It is hardly known that they are necessary for survival in a crisis. These emergency water wells are not connected to the Berliner Wasserbetriebe pipe system, but pump groundwater with muscle power.
There are 2079 emergency water wells in Berlin, but only 1614 are functional! That said a spokesman for the Senate Environmental Administration on BZ request.
At least 78 percent, but the actual operational readiness of the systems varies in the districts.
While only 10 of 114 pumps in Marzahn-Hellersdorf, 11 of 124 in Pankow and 20 of 130 in Spandau are defective, the emergency supply could be in danger in some areas.
In Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, for example, 81 out of 241 emergency wells are not working. Of the 217 fountains in Neukölln, 87 cannot be used. Mitte has 211 wells, 41 of which are not operational.
The reasons: they are silted up, rusty, the inlet has burst.
Around 900 drinking water emergency wells belong to the federal government and around 1,180 to the state. The districts are responsible for maintenance. “Some fountains incur costs of up to 42,000 euros,” says a spokeswoman from Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf. The financial resources are not sufficient, there is a repair backlog.
Gabriele Cocozza, CDU MP from Mitte, calls for the pumps in the city to be put into working order immediately. In addition, there must be an easily accessible overview of the locations.
“You owe it to people that there is a plan for emergencies,” she says.