Wasserspeicher Harz 2050

Goal of the project:

The project deals with the creation of a hydroanalytical water management tool for the identification of potentials for a strong water management region. The tool should enable an adaptive drinking water management while avoiding conflicts of use and contribute to a smart decision making of hydraulic engineering measures as well as show control possibilities to avoid losses in quality and quantity, so that the current water demand of the Harz can also be ensured in the future. This demand, in terms of quantity and quality, concerns not only the (drinking) water supply but also the provision of sufficient (cooling) water quantities for industry such as chemical plants in Langelsheim and sewage treatment plant pipelines (quantity, effluent balance) as well as agricultural operations (quantity, heavy metals) in the Harz foreland. In addition to the water management potential, a significant contribution is made to the protection of water ecosystems, in that potential sources of pollution and measures for water treatment can be identified at an early stage. The aim is to simulate the development of quality in the waters of the Harz and the Harz foreland with the help of hybrid models and to predict it with the help of AI systems (main focus: organic compounds, heavy metals). In addition, the effects of large-scale abiotic and biotic forest damage and various land treatment methods on the water balance can be considered.

Project concept / Approach:

The overall project is to be realized in two stages. In the first project stage, one or more follow-up applications to the main project "Water Reservoir Harz 2050" will be prepared. The project objectives will be pursued in four substantive work packages. These deal with a detailed elaboration of the concept and with the examination of the technical feasibility, the identification of constraints as well as the selection of suitable technologies for the preparation of the hydroanalytical water management tool. In all work packages, interdisciplinary work is carried out, with each partner working on the relevant area.