Donauwörth residents offered well water testing and sponge garden guidance

In Donauwörth, the organization VSR-Gewässerschutz is offering water testing services to help residents assess the quality of their garden well water. On September 9, a mobile laboratory will be available at the Festplatz to analyze samples for nitrate, acidity, and salt content for a fee of twelve euros. These tests help determine if well water is safe for watering vegetables, filling pools, or potentially serving as emergency drinking water.

To combat the effects of climate change, such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall, experts are also promoting the 'sponge garden' concept. This method encourages residents to store rainwater on their own property rather than letting it run into the sewage system. By using landscape features like shallow basins, trenches, and specific soil types, gardens can act as reservoirs that absorb and slowly release water, helping to replenish groundwater levels and sustain plants during dry periods.