Drinking Water Protection - A Case Study

In the 1980s, the level of nitrate measured in the City of Freising's (Bavaria) water supply was over 50 mg/l. In 1994, a discussion began with farmers about negotiating voluntary cultivation agreements in drainage areas. ECOZEPT developed a contractual concept in collaboration with representative farmers and, later, applied it.

In addition to contractual consulations, we implemented demonstrations about our cultivation methods and group consultations. Through these efforts we could protect the water supply by asking many farmers to plant a catch crop of corn.

Currently, over 90% of all agricultural land in drainage areas are under contract and are cultivated in such a way as to protect the water supply. Since the inception of such voluntary cooperation, the level of nitrate in the city water supply has fallen by 33%. Freising is one of the most successful cooperative models in Bavaria.

Have a look on LandManager^WSG, our solution for landmanagement in drainage areas, basing on efficient databases and ArcGIS.

Your correspondent

Our services

Drinking water protection