Focus on Drought and Water Scarcity: RENUWAS Project Concludes in April 2026
In April 2026, the RENUWAS project was successfully completed. The final report – which has not yet been published – is structured in two parts. The first part presents generally applicable and transferable approaches for analyzing vulnerabilities to drought and water scarcity. At its core is an impact model that systematically captures different relationships and influencing factors. In addition, transferable response options for preventing and addressing the impacts of drought and water scarcity are outlined. The second part focuses specifically on the City of Herten and develops an integrated, informal action concept for dealing with water scarcity at the municipal level.
Three key events were held in 2026 to conclude the project. In the first workshop, citizens of the City of Herten discussed possible adaptation and response measures to the impacts of water scarcity together with the project team. A second workshop focused on approaches to water prioritization—particularly the allocation of drinking water and irrigation for different uses—and brought together representatives of the water sector as well as municipal stakeholders from Herten and the district of Recklinghausen. The project concluded with a final event in which the main results were presented and discussed.
These events once again highlighted the strong need for clear and binding guidelines to support municipal decision-making on water prioritization.
We look back with great satisfaction on the work accomplished together and hope that the project’s results will help advance the topic of drought and water scarcity both in the scientific discourse and in practical municipal adaptation—particularly for our practice partner, the City of Herten.