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Schedule Student Mobility in Aachen 4rd draft

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Story Chemical Pollution Petitions Plastic Pollution

Cigarette butts are a persistent form of toxic plastic pollution. Littered in the environment they do not biodegrade. Instead, they slowly leak a chemical cocktail of highly toxic and carcinogenic substances into soils, waterways, lakes, and the oceans. In that way, the afterlife of cigarettes further adds to the havoc they already cause during their production and consumption.

No less than 16'400 cigarette butts, that is how many were collected during the last World Cleanup Day in Zürich co-organised by OceanCare in September 2022. Other clean-ups such as Net'Leman, in May of that year, amassed 54'621 of them. And, in a collective endeavour, schoolchildren in Switzerland and Liechtenstein in March 2021 picked up even 958'181 butts.

At about 310 mg per cigarette butt, just these three actions alone brought together 318 kg of highly toxic waste. Painstakingly retrieved from the environment by volunteers this obviously is but the tip of the iceberg. Beyond the aspect of chemical pollutants, cigarette filters are made of cellulose acetate and therefore also contribute significantly to plastic pollution. Given that one in four Swiss of 15 years or older smokes and cigarette butts are the most littered item in the country, the number of never-retrieved cigarette butts evidently is many times higher!

A chemical cocktail

It is not just the volume of the waste that is a problem. Tobacco product waste also contains over 7000 toxic chemicals, including known human carcinogens. Once in the environment, cigarette butts leak out an abundance of chemicals, at least 250 of which are known to be harmful and 69 are carcinogenic. When retained on land, they slowly degrade in the soil.

Through this way, the numerous toxins they contain are shown to be taken up by plants, thus potentially ending up in the food chain. Or, they are washed away to rivers and lakes, and eventually the ocean. Doing so, one cigarette butt contaminates up to 1000 litres of water. And while precise data may be lacking still, it is clear that many animals end up with cigarette butts in their guts.

How all these chemicals from cigarette butts interact with the countless quantity of other hazardous substances carelessly contaminating the global ecosystem of our planet, we do not know. Yet, that cigarette butts add to the chemical cocktail affecting humans and the environment is beyond doubt. Unquestionably, microplastics are among the substances they release, with one source estimating that every smoked cigarette filter contains 15,000 strands of microplastic fibres. Thus, cigarette butts are a major source of plastic pollution.

Cigarettes: harmful from cradle to grave

Evidently, the chemical and microplastic pollution by cigarette butts does not stand on its own. It is the final act of a product which is harmful all along its lifecycle. The toxic legacy of littered cigarette butts just adds to the long list of devastation already caused by cigarettes. According to a report from the World Health Organisation, every year the tobacco industry costs the world more than 8 million human lives, 600 million trees, 200 000 hectares of land, 22 billion tonnes of water and 84 million tonnes of CO2.

Big tobacco: a problematic industry

The tobacco industry still, largely, refutes everything. Infamously, already 30 years ago, the industry claimed that "I believe nicotine is not addictive". Today that same the industry assures that "there is no evidence that cigarette butts end up as microplastics", despite all evidence to the contrary. It is high time that the industry finally takes responsibility and accountability for their products, according to the polluter pays principle.

The situation in Switzerland

According to the Federal Council, the harmful effects of littered cigarette butts to the environment have not been adequately documented. Therefore, it considers a ban on disposable cigarette filters to be a disproportionate interference with the freedom of trade and business. Indeed, also in Switzerland, trade and business still seem to have more weight than the protection of people and environment. This must change.

A simple solution: stop littering

Globally, cigarette butts are by far the largest single type of litter by count. Since the 1980s cigarette butts have consistently comprised 30-40% of all items picked up in annual international coastal and urban clean-ups. Also in Switzerland cigarette butts are the most littered item. Flicking a cigarette butt on the ground also seems socially accepted. As such, it is a behavioural problem, that needs urgent changing. Cigarette butts go into the garbage, never on the ground or into nature.

Yet, it is not just an issue of the end-consumer alone. Also the tabaco industry has to acknowledge its share in solving the issue, and take their responsibility for the waste produced by their products. Therefore, they need to develop and roll-out genuine tack-back systems, and fully accept extended producer responsibility along the whole life cycle of cigarettes.

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Cigarette Butts: Toxic Plastic Pollution | OceanCare

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Cigarette butts are a persistent form of plastic pollution. When littered, they do not biodegrade, but slowly leak toxic chemicals into soil and water.

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https://aachen72grad.de/en/

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An augmented reality app has higher requirements for a smartphone. Android smartphones require at least version 7. 0, iOS smartphones at least version 11. 0. Older devices with weaker processors reduce the fun.
The GPS must be switched on for navigation.
Access to the camera is required, in order to see the surroundings and the augmented reality applications. By „collecting the water drops" the contents of almost all experiences are stored on your smartphone (and only here), so that you can call and view them again at another place outside the route via the drinking glass symbol.
The battery of the device, whether smartphone or tablet, should be fully charged - an additional power bank is also helpful. Headphones allow you to listen undisturbed - but watch out for traffic and other people!

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discovering the hot springs via App! The tour of discovery leads you to hidden hot springs and to the still visible remnants of past spa culture. Meet people from past centuries and let them tell you about their experiences in Aachen. „Granni", the little goblin who lives in the hot springs, will tell you [...]

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Hi I am Brian. I am 16 years old. I am really looking forward to meeting all the exchange partners. I would say that i am a pretty extroverted person. I like playing basketball and practically any other sport. I enjoy listening to music

You can contact me under this number: +49 177 468 5145

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Inclusion and Diversity

The Programme seeks to promote equal opportunities and access, inclusion, diversity and fairness across all its actions. Organisations and participants with fewer opportunities themselves are at the heart of these objectives and, with this in mind, the programme puts mechanisms and resources at their disposal. When designing their projects and activities, organisations should have an inclusive approach, making them accessible to a diverse range of participants.

National Agencies are also vital in supporting projects with a view to be as inclusive and diverse as possible. Based on the overall principles and mechanisms at the European level, National Agencies will draw up inclusion and diversity plans to best address the needs of participants with fewer opportunities and to support the organisations working with these target groups in their national context. At the same time, the SALTO Resource Centres supporting the implementation of the Programme are also key players in promoting and rolling out inclusion and diversity measures, in particular in regards to gathering knowledge and conceiving and running capacity-building activities for National Agency staff and programme beneficiaries. Likewise, the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) plays an equally important role for the programme strands that are managed in direct management. In third countries not associated to the Programme, EU Delegations and, where they exist, the National Erasmus+ Offices (NEOs) and Erasmus+ Focal Points are key in bringing the programme closer to the relevant target groups.

In order to implement these principles, the Framework on inclusion measures as well as the Inclusion and Diversity Strategy covering all programme fields have been developed to support an easier access to funding for a wider range of organisations, and to better reach out to more participants with fewer opportunities. They also set up the space and mechanisms for projects which intend to work on inclusion and diversity related issues. The Strategy aims to help address the barriers different target groups may face in accessing such opportunities within Europe and beyond.

The list of such potential barriers, spelt out below, is not exhaustive and is meant to provide a reference in taking action with a view to increasing accessibility and outreach to people with fewer opportunities. These barriers can hinder their participation both as stand-alone factors and in combination:

Disabilities: This includes physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder someone's full and effective participation in society on the same footing as others .

Health problems: Barriers may result from health issues including severe illnesses, chronic diseases, or any other physical or mental health-related situation that prevents someone from participating in the programme.

Barriers linked to education and training systems: Individuals struggling to perform in education and training systems for various reasons, early school-leavers, NEETs (people not in education, employment or training) and low-skilled adults may face barriers. Although other factors may play a role, these educational difficulties, while possibly linked to personal circumstances, mostly result from educational systems which create structural limitations and/or do not fully take into account the individual's particular needs. Individuals can also face barriers to participation when the structure of curricula makes it difficult to undertake a learning or training mobility abroad as part of their studies.

Cultural differences: While cultural differences may be perceived as barriers by people from any background, they can particularly affect people with fewer opportunities. Such differences may represent significant barriers to learning in general, all the more for people with a migrant or refugee background - including but not limited to newly-arrived migrants, people belonging to a national or ethnic minority, sign language users, or people with linguistic adaptation and cultural inclusion difficulties. Being exposed to foreign languages and cultural differences when taking part in any kind of programme activities may put some individuals off and in a way limit the benefits from their participation. Such cultural differences may even prevent potential participants from applying for support through the programme, thereby representing an entry barrier altogether.

Social barriers: Social adjustment difficulties, such as limited social competences, anti-social or high-risk behaviours; (former) offenders, (former) drug or alcohol abusers, or social marginalisation may represent a barrier. Other social barriers can stem from family circumstances - for instance, being the first in the family to access higher education or being a parent (especially a single parent), a caregiver, a breadwinner or an orphan, or having lived or currently living in institutional care.

Economic barriers: Economic disadvantage, for instance a low living standard, low income, learners who need to work to support themselves, dependence on the social welfare system, long-term unemployment, precarious situations or poverty, being homeless, in debt or with financial problems, may represent a barrier. Other difficulties may derive from the limited transferability of services (in particular support to people with fewer opportunities) that need to be "mobile" together with the participant participating in activities away from their place of residence or, all the more, abroad.

Barriers linked to discrimination: Barriers can occur as a result of discrimination linked to gender, age, ethnicity, religion, beliefs, sexual orientation, disability, or intersectional factors (a combination of two or several of the mentioned kinds of discrimination).

Geographical barriers: Living in, for example, remote or rural areas, on small islands or in peripheral/outermost regions , in urban suburbs, in less serviced areas (limited public transport, poor facilities) or less developed areas in third countries, may constitute a barrier.

Digital Transformation

To support the digital transformation in a human-centric manner and address and societal challenges such as AI or disinformation more effectively Europe needs education and training systems that are fit for the digital age. In line with the strategic priorities of the Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2027), and with the two Council Recomentations adopted in November 2023 on a) the key enabling factors for successful digital education and training, and b) improving the provision of digital skills in education and training, the Erasmus+ programme can play a key role in supporting citizens of all ages in acquiring the digital skills and competences they need to live, learn, work, exercise their rights, be informed, access online services, communicate, critically consume, create and disseminate digital education content.

The programme will support the first strategic priority of the Action Plan, the development of a high-performing digital education ecosystem, by building capacity and critical understanding on how to exploit the opportunities offered by digital technologies for teaching and learning in all types of education and training institutions at all levels and for all sectors, and to develop and implement digital transformation plans for educational institutions.

The programme will also support the second strategic priority of the Action Plan by supporting actions aimed at enhancing digital skills and competence development at all levels of society and for everyone (including young people with fewer opportunities, students, job seekers and workers). The focus will be on fostering both basic and advanced digital skills as well as digital literacy, which has become essential for everyday life and for enabling people to navigate a world full of algorithms and participate fully in civil society and democracy.

In line with these two strategic priorities of the Action Plan, the European Digital Education Hub was established to reinforce cooperation on digital education at the EU level and to contribute to exchange of good practices, co-creation and experimentation. The aim of the Hub is to support Member States through closer cross-sectoral cooperation by addressing digital education in a lifelong learning perspective. The Hub connects national authorities, the private sector, experts, researchers, education and training providers and civil society through a more agile development of policy and practice in digital education.

The Programme should reach out to a larger target group both within and beyond the Union by a greater use of information, communication and technology tools, combined use of physical mobility and virtual learning and virtual cooperation.

Environment and fight against climate change

Environment and climate action are key priorities for the EU now and in the future. The European Green Deal Communication is the European new growth strategy and recognising the key role of schools, training institutions and universities in engaging with pupils, parents, and the wider community on the changes needed for a successful transition to climate neutrality by 2050. In addition, the Council Recommendation on learning for the green transition emphasizes the need to provide learners of all ages with opportunities to find out about the climate crisis and sustainability through both formal and non-formal education, and to make learning for the green transition a priority in education and training policies and programmes. Sustainability should become a part of the entire spectrum of education and training, including curricula, professional development for educators as well as buildings, infrastructure and operations. The Erasmus+ programme is a key instrument for building knowledge, skills, and attitudes on climate change and supporting sustainable development within the European Union and beyond. The programme will increase the number of mobility opportunities in green forward-looking domains which foster the development of competences, enhance career prospects and engage participants in strategic areas for sustainable growth, with special attention to rural development (sustainable farming, management of natural resources, soil protection, bio-agriculture). Moreover, Erasmus+, with mobility at its core, should strive for carbon-neutrality by promoting sustainable transport modes and more environmentally responsible behavior.

Environment and the fight against global warming is a horizontal priority in selecting the projects. Priority will be given to projects aimed at developing competences in various green sectors, including those within the framework of the contribution from education and culture to sustainable development goals, developing green sectorial skills strategies and methodologies, future-oriented curricula, as well as initiatives that support the planned approaches of the participating organisations regarding environmental sustainability.

The Programme supports the use of innovative practices to make learners, staff and youth workers true actors of change (e.g. save resources, reduce energy use, waste and carbon footprint, opt for sustainable food and mobility choices). Priority will also be given to projects that - through education, training, youth and sport activities - enable behavioural changes for individual preferences, cultural values, awareness, and more generally support active engagement for sustainable development.

Therefore, organisations and participants involved should strive to incorporate green practices in all projects when designing activities, which will encourage them to discuss and learn about environmental issues, to reflect about local actions and to come up with greener ways of implementing their activities.

Platforms such as the European School Education Platform (including eTwinning) and EPALE will continue to produce support materials and facilitate the exchange of effective educational practices and policies for environmental sustainability. Erasmus+ is also a powerful instrument to reach out to and engage with a wide spectrum of players in our society (schools, universities, VET providers, youth and sport organisations, NGOs, local and regional authorities, civil society organisations, etc.) who can become active agents in the transition towards climate neutrality by 2050.

Participation in democratic life, common values and civic engagement

The Erasmus+ Programme addresses the citizens' limited participation in democratic processes and their lack of knowledge about the European Union, and tries to help them overcome the difficulties in actively engaging and participating in their communities and in the Union's political and social life. Strengthening citizens' understanding of the European Union from an early age is crucial for the Union's future. In addition to formal education, non-formal learning can enhance the citizens' understanding of the European Union and foster a sense of belonging.

The Programme supports active citizenship and ethics in lifelong learning; it fosters the development of social and intercultural competences, critical thinking and media literacy. Priority is given to projects that offer opportunities for people's participation in democratic life, as well as social and civic engagement through formal or non-formal learning activities. The focus is put on raising awareness of and understanding the European Union context, notably in regards the common EU values, the principles of unity and diversity, as well as their social, cultural and historical heritage.

In the field of youth, the Youth Participation Strategy has been designed to provide a common framework and support the use of the Programme to foster youth participation in democratic life. The Strategy aims to improve the quality of youth participation in the Programme and complements key EU Youth Policy documents, such as the EU Youth Strategy and the EU Youth Goals. The Youth Participation Toolkit accompanies the Strategy and aims to, in practical terms, enhance the participation of young people in each of the actions of the Programme, by sharing know-how, recommendations, tools and practical guidance. The toolkit includes in its modules a special focus on how to cover the new horizontal priorities in the projects.

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The Programme seeks to promote equal opportunities and access, inclusion, diversity and fairness across all its actions. Organisations and participants with fewer opportunities themselves are at the heart of these objectives and, with this in mind, the programme puts mechanisms and resources at their disposal. When designing their projects and activities, organisations should have an inclusive approach, making them accessible to a diverse range of participants.

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I have now activated the comment function in the padlet!! You should add any more ideas, comments / ratings until Wednesday, so that the teacher-team can include your ideas and opinions in the planning of the provisional schedule! There are also a lot of very general suggestions that could be made more specific, for example by adding links or more information!

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I have now activated the comment function in the padlet!! You should add any more ideas, comments / ratings until Wednesday, so that the teacher-team can include your ideas and opinions in the planning of the provisional schedule! There are also a lot of very general suggestions that could be made more specific, for example by adding links or more information!

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please share your phone numbers so that cou can connect individually, if that is ok for you :)

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please share your phone numbers so that cou can connect individually, if that is ok for you :)

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scarcity in some places

almost too much in others

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Maastricht

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Ein warmer Frühlingstag an der Maas. Zottelige Galloway-Rinder teilen sich das Flussufer mit großen Gänsefamilien und eilig umherstelzenden Austernfischern. Auf den Kiesbänken brüten Flussregenpfeifer und in der weiten, mit Gräsern und Kräutern bewachsenen Flussebene grasen halbwilde Konik-Pferde. Kaum vorstellbar, dass diese Naturidylle noch vor Kurzem einer Großbaustelle glich. "Bis vor ein paar Jahren wurde hier Kies abgebaut", sagt Hettie Meertens, Biologin bei "ARK Rewilding Nederland", einer niederländischen NGO für Naturentwicklung mit Sitz in Nijmegen.

Direkt nördlich von Maastricht und keine halbe Autostunde westlich von Aachen bildet die Maas auf rund 50 Flusskilometern die Grenze zwischen Belgien und den Niederlanden. Dort, wo die Grenzmaas früher einem tief eingeschnittenen Flussbett mit befestigten Ufern folgen musste, wurde dem Fluss wieder Raum verschafft, um in die weiten Auenflächen ausweichen zu können.

Der Verlauf der Maas (franz.: Meuse). Rot markiert: die Lage der Grenzmaas. Quelle: Adobe Stock

Das Schicksal der Maas ähnelte lange Zeit dem der meisten Flüsse Mitteleuropas: Im Laufe der letzten 500 Jahre hat man sie begradigt und eingedeicht, vertieft und dadurch schiffbar gemacht - und zudem zahlreiche Wehre, Schleusen und Staustufen errichtet, um den Wasserstand nach Belieben zu regulieren und Strom zu gewinnen.

Mit einem hohen Preis: Artenreiche Auwälder, Altarme und natürliche Überschwemmungszonen entlang der Flüsse verschwanden, wandernde Fischarten wie Stör, Lachs und Maifisch konnten nicht mehr zu ihren Laichgründen gelangen. Bei starkem Hochwasser mussten die Schleusen am Oberlauf geöffnet werden - und durch die kanalisierten Flüsse schoss das Wasser mit Wucht flussabwärts, wo es umso mehr Verwüstungen anrichtete, je stärker die ehemaligen Überflutungsflächen vom Menschen umgenutzt und besiedelt worden waren.

Die Klimaerwärmung zeigt die Grenzen auf

Jahrhundertelang wurde alles dafür getan, dass das Wasser möglichst schnell in Richtung Meer abfließt. Der Ausbau des Schiffsverkehrs und Landgewinnung durch die Trockenlegung von Auen, Feuchtgebieten und Mooren waren übergeordnete Ziele. Doch durch die Klimaerwärmung treten die Schattenseiten unserer entwässerten Landschaften inzwischen immer deutlicher zutage: Anhaltende Trockenheit und Starkregen gefährden Ernährungssicherheit und Infrastruktur - wir sollten also alles dafür tun, um das wertvolle Trinkwasser aus Gletschern, Schnee und Regen möglichst lange zurückzuhalten. Wie das gelingen kann, aber auch, welcher Aufwand damit verbunden ist, zeigt das "Projekt Grenzmaas", dessen Anfänge über 30 Jahre zurückliegen.

Überschwemmungen an der Maas wie diese in den 1990er-Jahren sind heute deutlich unwahrscheinlicher geworden. Foto: Archief Well

Die gesellschaftliche Diskussion über die "Fluss-Wende" war also längst im Gange, als die Jahrhunderthochwasser von 1993 und 1995 über die Region Grenzmaas hereinbrachen. Damals standen die Dörfer dort mehr als einen Meter unter Wasser, allein auf niederländischer Seite verursachte das Schäden in Höhe von 200 bis 300 Millionen Euro. Über 5.500 Wohnhäuser wurden beschädigt und Tausende mussten evakuiert werden. Die Schäden jener Jahre gaben letztlich den Ausschlag, die Ideen aus dem Plan Ooievaar - angepasst an die örtlichen Gegebenheiten - in die Tat umzusetzen.

An der Grenzmaas zwischen Maastricht und Maaseik waren die Voraussetzungen für die Renaturierung besonders gut, denn es gibt auf diesem Teilstück zwischen den Niederlanden und Belgien keinen Konflikt mit der Schifffahrt - die war in den 1930er-Jahren komplett auf parallel verlaufende Kanäle verlagert worden. Die grenzüberschreitende Zusammenarbeit auf behördlicher Ebene wurde intensiviert und mit dem "RivierPark Maasvallei" (FlussPark Maastal) hat man einen Ort geschaffen, an dem Gemeinden, NGOs und Landbewirtschafter aus beiden Ländern regelmäßig zur Abstimmung zusammenkommen.

Nach langen Verhandlungen stimmten die Kiesunternehmen schließlich zu, dass sie als Gegenleistung für großflächige und langjährige Abbaurechte den Löwenanteil der Kosten für die Flussrenaturierung tragen würden. "Sie sahen darin auch die Chance, ein neues Verhältnis zur Bevölkerung aufzubauen", so Meertens. Schließlich wurde im Jahr 2005 auf niederländischer Seite das "Consortium Grensmaas" als Projektverbund von staatlichen Behörden, Naturschutzverbänden, Gemeinden und Kiesindustrie gegründet und der Projektplan bis Ende 2027 festgezurrt. Das Konsortium steht in ständigem Austausch mit der belgischen Seite, wo die Renaturierungsmaßnahmen bereits 2006 begonnen haben. Dort verfolgt man dieselben Ziele, setzt dabei jedoch auf kleinere, schneller durchzuführende Einzelprojekte.

Die Kosten für den Rückbau der Flussregulierungen belaufen sich bis heute auf 700 Millionen Euro. Konkret wird der Fluss auf einer Länge von knapp 50 Kilometern an dreizehn Abschnitten aufgeweitet. Der Kies- und Sandabbau wird so koordiniert, dass dadurch das Flussbett verbreitert, Sommerdeiche abgegraben, Ufer abgeflacht und alte Nebenarme wiederbelebt werden. Die Baggerschaufeln fördern rund 4,5 Millionen Tonnen pro Jahr, der Kies von der Grenzmaas deckt rund ein Viertel des Gesamtbedarfs der Niederlande.

Klima- und Hochwasserschutz Hand in Hand

Eine renaturierte Flusslandschaft kann nicht nur deutlich mehr Wasser aufnehmen, sondern speichert durch Pflanzenwachstum und Bodenbildung auch zusätzliches CO ₂. Der Fluss verändert ständig seinen Lauf, dadurch bilden sich immer wieder neue Bereiche, in denen sich organische Stoffe und Feinsedimente ablagern und so zur Kohlenstoffspeicherung beitragen. Van Looy kalkuliert, dass die jährliche Klimaschutzwirkung durch die wiederbelebten Maas-Auen dem Treibhausgasausstoß einer größeren Stadt wie etwa Lüttich entspricht. Zudem kühlen intakte Auen und Wälder ihre Umgebung durch Verdunstungskälte und helfen damit bei der Anpassung an den Klimawandel, sagt der Flussexperte.

Seine Bewährungsprobe bestand das Flussprojekt Grenzmaas beim Jahrhunderthochwasser im Juli 2021. "Solche Wassermengen mitten im Sommer hatten wir noch nie gesehen", erinnert sich Hettie Meertens. Doch während die Katastrophe im nahe gelegenen Ahrtal ihren Lauf nahm, blieben die Dörfer an der Maas trocken. Die neu geschaffenen Überflutungsflächen und die stellenweise erhöhten Winterdeiche zeigten, dass die Berechnungen der Wasserbauer richtig waren. Mancherorts wurden trotzdem landwirtschaftlich genutzte Flächen überschwemmt und an einigen Stellen war es ziemlich knapp, sodass dort über eine weitere Erhöhung der Deiche diskutiert wird. Unterm Strich hat die renaturierte Maas jedoch bewiesen, dass sie genug Rückhalteräume auch für große Wassermengen bietet.

Es wäre auch ein Trugschluss, zu glauben, dass wir die Zeit zurückdrehen und die Flüsse wieder vollständig in ihren "ursprünglichen" Zustand versetzen könnten. Zum einen wissen wir oftmals gar nicht genau, wie die Flussökosysteme früher aussahen. Zum anderen haben sich die Artengemeinschaften durch neu zugewanderte Arten schon so stark gewandelt, dass "sie eher einer multikulturellen Lebensgemeinschaft gleichen", wie es der Gewässerökologe Klement Tockner in einem Podcast der Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung ausdrückt. Das sei nicht per se etwas Negatives, so Tockner, denn viele der neu zusammengesetzten Lebensgemeinschaften erfüllten ähnliche Funktionen - aber es würden eben auch Arten völlig verschwinden.

An der Grenzmaas hat sich im Laufe des begleitenden Biodiversitäts-Monitorings gezeigt, dass neu hinzugekommene Arten in einem gesunden Flussökosystem mit vielen ökologischen Nischen und einer intakten Flussdynamik wenig Chancen haben, über längere Zeit die Kontrolle zu übernehmen. Der im Uferbereich wuchernde Japanische Staudenknöterich oder das Indische Springkraut etwa werden vom Hochwasser und durch Weidetiere im Zaum gehalten und die Körbchenmuscheln aus Asien machen sich nützlich, indem sie das Wasser reinigen und im Winter vielen Wasservögeln als Nahrung dienen.

Wachsende Einnahmen durch Ökotourismus

Die niederländische Provinz Limburg war früher hauptsächlich für das idyllische Hügelland östlich von Maastricht bekannt, doch immer mehr Besucherinnen und Besucher interessieren sich nun auch für den Fluss. Laut einer Studie der Transnationalen Universität Limburg im belgischen Hasselt kommen im Jahr über eine Million Ökotouristen an die Grenzmaas - was zu einer Wertschöpfung von rund 25 Millionen Euro führt. Tourismus und Erholung sind wichtige Wirtschaftszweige in Limburg und konnten von der Renaturierung profitieren: Die Umsätze in diesem Bereich liegen jährlich bei über einer Milliarde Euro.

Flussrenaturierungen verbinden Mensch und Natur, sorgen für Hochwasserschutz, kurbeln den Tourismus an und fördern Artenvielfalt und Klimaresilienz: Das Großprojekt an der Grenzmaas zeigt, wie es gehen kann. Doch angesichts der fortschreitenden Klimaerwärmung wird es - auch andernorts - immer dringender, unsere Flusslandschaften zukunftsfähig zu gestalten. "Wir müssen auf dem eingeschlagenen Weg weitergehen und diesen wunderbaren Fluss intelligent bewirtschaften, also sicher und ökologisch zugleich", fordert Meertens. Sie und die Mitstreiterinnen und Mitstreiter auf beiden Flussseiten haben dazu noch viele Ideen - und planen bereits die nächsten Renaturierungen weiter flussabwärts.

Mehr zum Thema

Klimalandschaften - Gewinn für uns und die Natur

Der Klimawandel sorgt auch hierzulande für Wassernotstände. Regenerative Land-, Forst- und Wasserwirtschaft bieten Lösungen.

Moore: die unterschätzte Klimachance

Moore sind wichtige Wasserfilter und Nährstoffspeicher - und revitalisierte Moore könnten sogar dabei helfen, den Klimawandel zu bremsen.

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Die Flussrenaturierung der Maas nördlich von Maastricht schafft neue Lebens- und Erholungsräume, sorgt für Hochwasserschutz und erhöht die Artenvielfalt.

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natural catastrophies caused by climate change

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Thermal springs in the Aachen area

The Aachener Thermalquellen, also known as the Thermal Springs of Aachen and Burtscheid, are a system of more than 30 thermal mineral springs located in the area around Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle), Germany. The area has been known for its hot sulfur springs for thousands of years.

The hot mineral water aquifer flows from the Upper Devonian limestones that meet the Variscan thrust front of the Rhenish Massif, and flow through the city center of Aachen in a 500m long by 50m (maximum width), that emerges from the source at numerous spring heads. Four of these spring heads are still accessible; two are managed. The hot spring flow from Burtscheid (a district of Aachen) is 2200m long with numerous spring heads.

The hot springs have been used for balneotheraputic purposes since the early Roman settlement in Aachen. The historical political and economic growth of Aachen developed around the springs, in particular mineral water production, the spa and bathing sector, and the textile industry. Later the Franks arrived. The first known written text about Bad Aachen (Aachen baths) is linked to the Frankish king, Pippin the Short. Charlemagne inherited Pippin's manor at Bad Aachen sometime after 766 AD.

Aachen came to be known as an elegant European spa town where personages such as George Frideric Handel, Albrecht Dürer, Voltaire, and Peter the Great "took the waters" at Bad Aachen.

The thermal springs in the Aachen area have been known for thousands of years. Stone tools as old as 6,500 years have been found nearby. Burial mounds in the area are dated from the Bronze and Iron Ages. Around 600 BC, the Celts arrived; later in the 1st century AD, the Romans established a large spa for the military at Aachen. These baths could hold 6,000 soldiers at a time.

The thermal springs of the Aachen/Burtscheid area are situated within Upper Devonian limestone. The hot mineral water emerges from the source at an average of 158°F / 70°C, and is high in sodium, chloride, and sulfate. The city of Aachen has stated that the spring water contains "not less than 19 different mineral elements." The discharge flow from the Aachen springs is 3.5 million liters per day, making them the most productive thermal springs in Germany. The springs at Burtsheid discharge 2.2 million liters per day.

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The Aachener Thermalquellen, also known as the Thermal Springs of Aachen and Burtscheid, are a system of more than 30 thermal mineral springs located in the area around Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle), Germany. The area has been known for its hot sulfur springs for thousands of years.

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Environmental Impacts of Cigarette Butts

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Dreiländereck

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Düsseldorf

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What we do?

150.000 cigarette butts were picked up in only 1 week!

That's 6 million liters of water saved.

This year we expand to 10 cities along the Rhine!

And aim to save much more water from contamination...

Let us know if you want to join!

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150.000 cigarette butts were picked up in only 1 week! That's 6 million liters of water saved. This year we expand to 10 cities along the Rhine! And aim to save much more water from contamination... Let us know if you want to join!

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Aquazoo Düsseldorf

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Flood resilience project about the region in Aachen ?

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Köln

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Pollution by microplastic

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Visiting springs

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Unsere Anlagen sind jeweils an die lokalen Gegebenheiten angepasst, der Aufbau des Aquaponik-Kreislaufs ist jedoch bei allen Anlagen sehr ähnlich.

Ausgehend von den Fischbecken (6) werden die Fischabscheidungen über eine Verrohrung (7) in einen mechanischen Filter (8) geleitet. Dort wird das Wasser von groben Sedimenten befreit. Danach fließt es weiter in den biologischen Filter (9), das „Herz" der Anlage: Hier wird das toxische Ammonium der Fischabscheidungen in Nitrit und anschließend in verwendbares Nitrat umgewandelt. Das Nitrat wird dann von den Pflanzen (10) als Dünger aufgenommen. Die Pflanzen schwimmen dabei mit den Wurzeln im Wasser. Das „gereinigte" Wasser wird dann von den Wasserpumpen (4) wieder zu den Fischtanks hochgepumpt (5) und der Kreislauf beginnt von neuem. Darüber hinaus beziehen wir den Strom an unserer Aquaponik-Anlage in Aachen-Melaten aus einem Solarsystem (1), welches die Wasserpumpen und das Belüftungssystem(3) speist.

1. Solarsystem

2. Technikhütte

3. Belüftungssystem

4. Wasserpumpe

5. Kugelhähne

6. IBC-Tanks

7. PVC-Rohre

8. Mechanischer Filter

9. Biologischer Filter

10. Pflanzenbecken

outdoor-anlage: aachen-melaten

Unser erster Prototyp befindet sich auf dem Gelände des Institutes für Umweltforschung der RWTH am Campus Melaten und dient als Ausgangspunkt für weitere Projekte. Der Aufbau der Outdoor-Anlage startete im Sommer 2020 und ein Jahr später konnten wir unsere Anlage endlich fertigstellen. Die Inbetriebnahme ist im Laufe des Jahres 2022 geplant.

indoor-anlage: aachen-richterich

In diesem ehemaligen Blumenladen in Aachen-Richterich bauen wir seit Ende Januar 2022 unseren ersten Indoor-Prototypen auf. In den Palettenregalen sprießen und wachsen demnächst Kräuter, Salate und Microgreens und in dem Becken werden unsere Fische herumschwimmen.

CAD Modell der Indoor-Elemente

Aufbau in einem leerstehenden Blumenladen in Aachen-Richterich

upscaling im quartier: aachen-Bushof

Hier bekommt ihr einen ersten Eindruck, wie unsere Planung für eine stillgelegte Unterführung im Herzen von Aachen aussieht. Mit der Revitalisierung und der Überführung in eine sinnvolle Nutzung möchten wir einen kleinen Beitrag zur Quartiersentwicklung leisten.

CAD Modell der Bushof-Anlage

Aktuelle Innenansicht der Unterführung

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Unsere Anlagen sind jeweils an die lokalen Gegebenheiten angepasst, der Aufbau des Aquaponik-Kreislaufs ist jedoch bei allen Anlagen sehr ähnlich. Ausgehend von den Fischbecken (6) werden die Fischabscheidungen über eine Verrohrung (7) in einen mechanischen Filter (8) geleitet. Dort wird das Wasser von groben Sedimenten befreit.

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Hello, my name is Francesc Condori. I love playing volleyball. I am the player located in the middle of the picture. All the players around me, except the one who is in my left, are my setters.

This is my email contact: 19fcondori@insforatdelvent.org

Phone number: +34 603556771

Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xAENjyvu

Also love Chayanne.

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I am the person with the red trousers in a random scenario 

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Hi, my name is Alexandre García but you can call me Àlex. To begin with, I love playing basketball althought I don't have a specific position (I usually rotate between center-forward). Then, in a first contact with my future german roommate, I would rather to play some chess matches to make the friendship some competitive while we be are asking questions each other about ours life. It will be a good starting.

+34 686835710

19agarciap@insforatdelvent.org

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Hey, what's up? My name is Valeria, and I'm a pretty outgoing person who just loves meeting new people.

When I have some free time, I enjoy playing chess and board games, and I'm also a big tennis fan.

I'm totally into movies, too, and I like to watch and review them on Letterbox.

Music is one of my biggest passions, and I've been playing the guitar for almost a decade now.

Some of my favorite artists are LDR, Rosalía, Txarango, Kendrick Lamar, and Tina Turner.

I'm stuck between pursuing a double degree in sociology and statistics or in engineering and economics. However, I'm unsure about my interests and future plans.

I'm super excited (and a little nervous!) about meeting the exchange students who are coming to Barcelona. If you have any questions or just wanna say what's up, feel free to shoot me an email. I'd be stoked to hear from you!

Email: 19vcastro@insforatdelvent.org

My instagram: vaaleriacaastro

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Hello! How are you? I'm Elin Iandoli and I'm very excited to meet all the students participating in this exchange program!

I'm very passionate about music, drawing and reading. I play the bass in a band but I like to play the guitar as well, I enjoy it very much. I'm also very interested in science and, at the moment, particularly in chemistry. I'd love to hear about your interests too!

Here's my email, feel free to contact me if you want:

19eiandoli@insforatdelvent.org

My phone number: +34 672 41 70 73

My instagram: @elin.ian

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Hi! My name is Víctor López, and I'm glad to be part of this exchange. If I had to say something about myself and what I like to do, I would say that I love to spend time doing sports (I play tennis), reading, studying and hanging out with my friends.

I also like listening to music, and I love artists such as Drake, Travis Scott, Kanye West and many others.

Nowadays, I would like to study engineering or physics, but I'm still in the process of deciding what to do at university.

I'm very excited to meet you all!

My email:

19vlopez@insforatdelvent.org

My phone number:

+34 635528308

My Instagram:

_vilo18_

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Hey I’m Emma.

I would describe myself as a creative and friendly person.

In my free time I enjoy reading, dancing and hanging out with my friends.

I adore listening to music, I prefer Rap and RnB, my favorite artists are Polo G, Trippie Red and Bryson Tiller.

In my future I would like to go into architecture, but I‘m not quite sure yet.

I‘m exited to meet the other exchange students. If you have any questions, just send me an email.

emmaboeing@gmx.de

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Hi, my name is Sara and I’m very happy to participate in this exchange program! I love cooking and playing handball, but also meeting my friends and doing chill and relaxing activities with them.

I also love traveling and exploring new countries, and I’m very excited to visit Aachen!

Here you have my email, don’t hesitate to send me something!:

19sjane@insforatdelvent.org

and here my number:

+34 689131689

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Hi, I'm Hugo and I'm the one in the middle of the photo. If I had to describe myself, I would say that I love hanging out with my friends, playing video games and listening to music.

One of my dreams is to have the opportunity to travel all over the world, and this is a very good chance.

I'm very excited to have the opportunity to participate in this exchange program and I'm looking forward to meet you all.

If you have any questions, just email me or send me a message.

+34 640609345

19hfernandez@insforatdelvent.org

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Hi! My name is Josephine, but you can call me Josi! I'm really excited to participate in this exchange. :)

In my free time, I love playing tennis and hanging out with friends, like going to a nice coffee shop or doing some shopping. During the winter time, I really enjoy skiing. I also love traveling, especially taking city trips, and I can't wait to go to Spain!

Here's my email: neumannjosephine@yahoo.com

I'm very excited to meet you!

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Hey there, I’m Pauline.

I would describe myself as an open minded and friendly person. I love hearing music and my favourite artists are NLE Choppa, Travis Scott and YoungBoy. In my future I would like to study psychology or medicine. I wanna travel the world that’s why I want to go to Barcelona. I‘m excited to finally meet y‘all!

Here‘s my E-Mail: pauline.heidenreich@icloud.com

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tourist attractions

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That’s me and Palmer the dog from my hostfamily in the USA

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Heyyy! What’s up? My name is Frieda.

In my free time I love to play handball or dance. I also enjoy hanging out with friends and also listening to music. I mostly hear german and english Rap. I also love listening to spanisch songs like la bachata I Amanece. I can speak some Spanisch but not so good :)) I also love traveling and after school I want to travel around the world and visit new country’s.

I’m sooo excited to met y‘all and come and visit u in Spain :))))

If you’d like to ask any questions or just say hi pleas feel free to contact me Frieda.boehnke@web.de

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Hi everyone, my name is Jana and I’m excited to meet you all! I enjoy watching Formula 1 and MotoGP, but I also love romantic movies and series, although crime dramas are my favorites. On the other hand, I love skiing in winter, even though sports aren't really my thing.

In my free time, as I've mentioned, I enjoy watching movies. Furthermore I love going out with my friends and spending time together. I'm also always listening to music. My favorite genres are reggaeton and Latin trap, but I listen to a wide variety of artists.

Here is my email address, feel free to reach out anytime!

+34633611776

19jdomenjo@insforatdelvent.org

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https://www.casabatllo.es/en/news/casa-batllo-achieves-biosphere-certificate-sustainable-heritage/

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This is our link for the meeting at 1:30.

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/84202863953?pwd=CS75TagOvge6AQhWoxLvX6DQHBiSaZ.1

The idea is to get to know each other and add comments and ideas to the padlet, so that the teacher Team can design a provisional programme based on your ideas.

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Seit vielen Jahren erkundet das Ökologie-Zentrum zusammen mit Kindergruppen, Schülern und Erwachsenen die Bäche auf dem Aachener Stadtgebiet. Viele Eindrücke, Erfahrungen und wissenswerte Informationen haben sich in dieser Zeit angesammelt. Einen kleinen Teil davon möchten wir auf diesen Seiten präsentieren.
Inzwischen gibt es sogar ein wunderschönes Buch: „Die Aachener Bäche„, erhältlich direkt beim Ökologie-Zentrum oder auch im Buchhandel. Der Film zum Thema: „Aachener Bäche„, auf YouTube (ca. 20 min)

Mühlen, Wasserrechte und Dampfkraft

Angefangen hat alles mit den heißen Thermalquellen, welche die Römer und Karolinger anlockten. Später war es das weiche Bachwasser, das die Tuchfabrikanten für ihre Produktion so sehr schätzten. Doch auch Mühlenbetreiber, Brauereien, Gerbereien und andere wollten ihren Wasseranteil haben.

Weitere Informationen zur Historie der Gewässernutzungen finden Sie in diesem Kapitel: „Mühlen, Wasserrechte und Dampfkraft".

Bäche erkunden und erleben

Die Bäche lassen sich auf vielerlei Wegen erkunden und erleben. Auf unseren Führungen und Exkursionen erfahren Sie mehr über die Hintergründe, die Geschichte und die Natur des Baches. Wir gehen mit Ihrer Schulkasse oder Verein an einen Bach Ihrer Wahl, zeigen Ihnen wissenschaftliche Untersuchungsmethoden und neue Wege im Wassererleben.
Weitere Informationen sowie methodisch-didaktische Hinweise für eigene Bachuntersuchungen können Sie unserer Broschüre „Bäche erkunden in Aachen" oder auch unserem Buch „Die Aachener Bäche" entnehmen.

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Die Aachener Bäche - Ökologie-Zentrum Aachen e.V.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Seit vielen Jahren erkundet das Ökologie-Zentrum zusammen mit Kindergruppen, Schülern und Erwachsenen die Bäche auf dem Aachener Stadtgebiet. Viele Eindrücke, Erfahrungen und wissenswerte Informationen haben sich in dieser Zeit angesammelt. Einen kleinen Teil davon möchten wir auf diesen Seiten präsentieren. Inzwischen gibt es sogar ein wunderschönes Buch: „Die Aachener Bäche„, erhältlich direkt beim Ökologie-Zentrum oder [...]

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Although tap water is drinkable in Barcelona, you may still wonder if you should drink bottled water instead. Is it safe? How does it taste? Read to find out.

There's so much to see and do in Barcelona, Spain, the last thing you want to worry about is your drinking water!

Therefore, you'll be glad to hear that it's safe to drink tap water in Barcelona!

However, worrying about drinking tap water in Barcelona is a concern many share. Maybe you've gotten sick from food or drink on a previous trip. Or, maybe you're looking to reduce plastic consumption. Saving money on bottled water in Barcelona is also a factor.

Don't worry, I lived in Spain and have actually been to Barcelona so many times I lost count! So, I know a thing or two about drinking water in Barcelona.

In this post, I'll review everything you need to know about tap water in Barcelona -from safety to environmental concerns to taste and everything in between.

Can You Drink Tap Water in Barcelona?

So, is the water in Barcelona safe to drink?
The answer is, yes! Barcelona's tap water is safe to drink.
According to the Spanish Ministry of Health and Aigües de Barcelona (the water company that services the area), tap water is safe.

Barcelona has a top-notch water filtration and wastewater management system that meets or exceeds all international standards set by the Spanish government, the European Untion, and the World Health Organization (WHO).

(Water isn't just safe in Barcelona, it's generally safe to drink in all of Spain-it's said to be 98.5% safe for human consumption as of 2021.)

To ensure its safety, the water company in Barcelona tests the water constantly, provides water quality reports, and is required to alert consumers of potential non-compliance issues.

While Barcelona's tap water is drinkable, Catalonia (the autonomous community of which Barcelona is the capital) tends to have hard water because of its high mineral content. Chlorine is added to counteract this-ultimately leading to water that doesn't take all that great when it reaches your faucet.

Thus, many Catalans drink bottled water because it tastes better (or have the perception that because it tastes bad it must not be clean).

Where Does Barcelona's Water Come From?

Barcelona has several main sources where it gets its water. Tap water in Barcelona primarily comes from the Llobregat River and to a lesser extent, the Ter River. It also gets some water from the Mediterranean Sea.

Water from the Llobregat River is treated by Aigües de Barcelona (AgBar) at its cutting-edge water treatment plant named (ETAP) in San Joan Despi.

At the plant, the water goes through intense sanitation processes before it makes its way to the city for public use.

In addition, Barcelona boasts one of Europe's largest desalinization plants. It was constructed to combat water shortage around 2008 but is not used very often. The plant, which is very expensive to operate, can handle about 20% of the city's water demand.

Why Does Barcelona Tap Water Taste So Bad?

While it's safe to drink Barcelona water according to industry standards, the taste of Barcelona's tap water drives many locals to choose bottled water instead.

The bad taste of the water in Barcelona can be attributed to several factors.

Firstly, the water has a high mineral content. The Llobregat, where the majority of Barcelona's water comes from, passes through a very salty area near the town of Súria. Thus, it picks up minerals including potassium, magnesium, and carbonates.

In addition, pollution can enter the water from industries and farmland along the river.

Water with high mineral content is considered "hard water." But, contrary to popular belief, it's not the hardness of the water that makes it taste bad. It's the chemical process to clean the water that puts the nail in the coffin!

You see, in order to remove some of the saltiness and sanitize the water, Barcelona's drinking water is treated with an osmosis process and chlorine.

Unfortunately, chlorine is a major contributing factor to the unpleasant taste of faucet water in Barcelona.

It's important to note that the water flavor in Barcelona can vary since some of the water comes from the Ter River, which is less mineralized. In the case that desalinated water is used, it will also have a different taste.

How Can I Make the Tap Water in Barcelona Taste Better?

If you want to make Barcelona tap water drinkable (in terms of the water's taste), there are a few easy steps to take.

Let water sit for 12 to 24 hours: A simple way to purge excess chlorine in tap water is to fill a pitcher directly from the tap and leave it in the refrigerator. After 12 to 24 hours, up to 90% of the chlorine will evaporate, reducing the off-putting flavor significantly.

Invest in a water filter: Water filters not only make water taste better, but they also save on the time and expense of buying, transporting, and storing water bottles. Besides, using a reusable water filter is better for the environment than single-use plastic bottles.

Store water in the fridge: If you're traveling and have a fridge in your room, store your Barcelona tap water in the fridge for a couple of hours. Cold water always tastes better, we think. Alternatively, add ice, and drink the water when it's cold.

Add flavor: Consider adding a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime to your water, or infuse it with any other fruit or herbs. Portable electrolyte packets can be helpful for taste, too, with the added benefit of keeping you hydrated on hot summer days in Spain.

What About Bottled Water in Barcelona?

For many Barcelona residents (and tourists) drinking bottled water is a non-negotiable. Since tap water is safe for drinking in Barcelona, it's up to you whether you choose to drink tap or bottled water in Barcelona.

In this section, we'll go over some helpful information about bottled water in BCN.

Tap Water Barcelona vs. Bottled Water in Barcelona

Since tap water is safe to drink in Barcelona, affordable, and can be sourced locally why is bottled water consumption in Spain rising?

Well, bottled water tastes better, it's cheap, and it's convenient. You can purchase it in any restaurant or store. Plus, health authorities recommend drinking 64 oz (1.89 l) of water a day.

Despite the belief that bottled mineral water is superior, many experts say there's no scientific evidence that bottled water is healthier or safer than tap water. (In fact, it may be the opposite!)

While bottled water is held to high safety standards, it's important to realize that there can be issues, too. For example, an April 2016 Norovirus outbreak in Catalonia was traced back to bottled water from an Andorran spring!

To sum up, bottled water very likely isn't any better than tap. But, it's still up to you what to consume and why.

Where to Buy Bottled Water in Barcelona

If you prefer drinking bottled water, you can easily find an entire row of water bottles in any grocery store, large or small.

At the grocery store, you can buy a pack of bottled water in Barcelona or you can buy individual bottles.

You can also buy bottled water at kiosks or small shops in tourist areas and at restaurants.

Bottled mineral water in Barcelona is generally affordable as well. 1.5 liters costs less than $0.83 (0.75€). However, tourist areas and restaurants tend to charge more.

Make sure to pay attention to the label when shopping for mineral water in Barcelona. You'll have a choice between still ( agua sin gas) and sparkling water ( agua con gas), and you'd hate to get the wrong one!

What is the Best Bottled Water in Barcelona?

Several mineral water brands are popular in Barcelona. Some of the well-known Spanish bottled water brands include:

Vichy Catalan: Carbonated mineral water with a distinctive taste and effervescent quality from Catalonia.

Bezoya: One of the most recognized mineral water brands in Spain, known for its high-quality water sourced from the mountains.

Lanjarón: Pure and refreshing; sourced from the Sierra Nevada.

Solán de Cabras: Sourced from the Cuenca region, it has a smooth taste and unique mineral composition.

Font Vella: A very popular choice for its refreshing taste, sourced from natural springs.

Water Filters for Tap Water in Barcelona

Water filters are a reliable and cheap solution for improving tap water taste and water quality in Barcelona. Let's look at some of the available water filter options and potential contaminants.

What are the potential issues with tap water in Barcelona?

Although it's safe to drink the water in Barcelona, there are three potential issues: microplastics, pipe corrosion, and THM.

Microplastics are an ongoing concern for European tap water, including Barcelona's. In fact, a recent study showed that 80% of all the tap water in Europe contains microplastics!

Aigues de Barcelona's water treatment process filters out microplastics, but the company has acknowledged their potential presence in local tap water. Microplastic levels in tap water are lower than those found in bottled water, and the WHO says there are no known health risks yet to humans.

Contaminants from pipe corrosion could also cause tap water contamination (think copper, lead, biofilms, and, once again, microplastics).

Lastly, the Spanish water supply is at risk of unwanted THMs, an unwanted byproduct of chlorine, especially when compared to the rest of the EU.

On the whole, drinking water contamination is unlikely, but an affordable water filter could help ease your mind if concerned.

Water Filters in Barcelona

If you live in Barcelona, you may want to consider installing a filter on your water faucet. These will purify your water and improve the taste, not to mention reduce plastic waste and eliminate the need to carry and store heavy bottles every week.

These professional filters are designed to eliminate unwanted tastes, odors-such as chlorine-and contaminants like microplastics, lead, and pesticides, among others.

Additionally, you can save money over time compared to purchasing bottled water. The average household in Spain spends about $350 (€320) per year on bottled water. In comparison, a water filter could cost as little as $88 (€80) annually!

Companies like TAPP Water and Aquavitae Laboratorio specialize in providing water filters in Barcelona and all of Spain (as well as other countries in the EU).

Best Water Filter Bottles for Barcelona

While water filter bottles aren't necessary for travel in Barcelona, they're a good investment for travelers who want better-tasting water on the go.

Depending on the bottle you choose, you can eliminate bacteria, chemicals (including chlorine), and microplastics. Some also help with taste.

Water Shortage in Barcelona

Despite investing billions of dollars into one of the most advanced water filtration systems in the world, Spain is facing water shortages caused by a years-long drought.

The current drought has hit Catalonia especially hard-it's the worst drought the region has seen in 100 years! While the lack of rainfall affects agriculture in Catalonia's countryside, it's effects trickle into Barcelona, as well.

Typically, April rain helps to fill the water reservoirs and wells, but April 2023 was significantly dry. Even worse, the Llobregat River was at just 27% capacity in May 2023.

To address the water shortage in Barcelona, the government is allotting 2.5 billion euros to double water production and enhance water filtration.

The Barcelona City Council has also put strict measures into effect to combat the ongoing drought. For example, you might notice many fountains in Barcelona aren't running, including those at the beach meant to wash sand off your feet.

As a guest in Barcelona, do your best to conserve water. We recommend asking your hotel reception what you can do to be a part of the solution -even if it's just taking shorter showers during your stay.

Can You Drink Tap Water in Spain (Barcelona): FAQ's

Last Words: Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Barcelona?

While water is safe to drink in Barcelona, individual preferences and sensitivities vary. Bottled water or water filters are good options if you're still concerned!

More Articles on Spain

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Can You Drink Tap Water in Barcelona? (2024 Update)

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Going to Barcelona and wondering if the water in Barcelona is safe to drink? The answer is, yes! Barcelona's tap water is potable (drinkable).

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What makes Water special? Water and Climate Change Water and Architecture Water Sustainability Greenhouse effect because of radiation absorption of near-infrared and visible wave lengths is changed UV radiation interacts with ozone layer oscillation in UV levels leads to ozone

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Hey, I'm Leonor, but you can call me Leo.

I would describe myself as an active person, I enjoy traveling and doing sports.

In my free time I like hanging out with friends, going shopping, reading and listening to some music. I speak spanish, english, catalan and french.

I'm very excited to meet all of you and to have the opportunity to travel to Aachen!

If you would like to contact me or ask any questions, feel free to contact me

19lgonzalez@insforatdelvent.org

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Hi, my name is Fabian.
I would say I'm an active person who likes adventures, traveling and meeting new people. In my free time, I enjoy spending my time doing sports, such as soccer, basketball and the gym. Furthermore, I try to spend as much time as possible together with friends. If there is still some time of the day left after all, I like reading in the evening or listening to music. Currently, I listen to American Rap primarily. Some of my favorite artists are Drake, Metro Boomin, TheWeeknd, Juice WRLD, Kanye West, Eminem and so on...
I'm excited about this exchange and looking forward to meeting you all. :)

(My number: +491632942040)

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Hi my name is Teresa and I’m 16 years old. (I’m the girl on the left with the brown hair )(the other girl is my older sister)

I would describe myself as an extroverted person.

I love art, travelling, music and really enjoy making new experiences.

I’m looking forward to this experience and getting to know a new city and everyone taking part in this exchange.

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https://www.museucanoliver.cat/es/inicio

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The architecture of Antonio Gaudi is related to its environment in a living way, interacting harmoniously with the natural and cultural agents.

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https://www.cerdanyola.cat/guia/equipaments/culturals/museu-dart-de-cerdanyola

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Museu d’Art de Cerdanyola | Cerdanyola del Vallès

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El Museu d’Art de Cerdanyola és un equipament destinat a la conservació, la recerca i la difusió del patrimoni artístic de la ciutat, centrat especialment en l’època modernista, noucentista i art déco, però també vol ser un espai on es mostri la producció actual.

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walk trhought Collserola and eat in Can Coll

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walk trhought Collserola and eat in Can Coll

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Helloo! How are you doing??

My name is Lucia Giménez, and I am 16 years old.

In my free time, I love playing football, reading and coding.  Also, I really enjoy hanging out with my friends, listening to music and watching TV series. I specially like sitcoms such as Friends or the Big Bang Theory.

I am currently learning German in Duolingo (but you probably won’t understand anything I try to say haha).

Finally, I really enjoy travelling. In fact, the picture above was taken in Munich a few weeks ago!

I am looking forward to meeting all of you! Contact me if you have any questions or comments:  19lgimenezd@insforatdelvent.org

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Hii, my name is Nieke and I’m 17 years old.

In my free time I really like listening to music, reading, drawing and meeting with friends. In my future I would like to do something in the field of graphic design.

I‘m looking forward to the Barcelona exchange and I‘m excited to meet you all!

Feel free to contact me if you want:

niekesander@gmail.com

+4915787865389

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Hey, im Linus, im 16 currently and love climbing, computer games and science stuff.

I also enjoy listening to music a lot.

Ive now been learning spanish for a few years at school and hope to be traveling after finishing school. Thats why i am really excited about this exchange and am looking forward to getting to know yall :)

+49 1515 2298777

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Hii! My name is Ariadna and I'm very excited to be part of this project. i would describe myself as a very outgoing and friendly person. What's more, in my free time I enjoy swimming, cooking, listening to music and hanging out with my friends. I also love travelling and visiting new places. Iim looking forward to meet you so don't hesitate to contact me:

email: ari.acebedo@gmail.com

phone number: 669304531

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Hello everyone! My name is Ada and I'm 16 years old.

In my free time I go swimming and play the piano. Other than that spending time outside (e.g. hiking as you see in the picture) is one of my favourite things to do.

I am looking forward to meet you all and have a nice time together :)

For contact here are my phone number and email: +49 176 77258169 ada@hlawenka.de

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lost/dried streams near Cerdanyola? (walk, photos)

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lost/dried streams near Cerdanyola? (walk, photos)

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Activitiy related to water and pollution

(https://cram.org/ca/)

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AulaCram és el nostre projecte educatiu per fomentar el compromís envers la preservació del medi marí entre tots els escolars.

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Exhibition on Water at the Natural Science Museum (BCN):

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Exhibition on Water at the Natural Science Museum (BCN):

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El gest d'obrir l'aixeta i que en ragi aigua potable, per a nosaltres, és una cosa que donem per feta, però per a més de 2.000 milions de persones és un desig impossible. Tanmateix es pot fer realitat.

La ciència, la tecnologia, el coneixement i la creativitat tenen moltes respostes efectives per a aquest desafiament.

L'exposició sorgeix en el context de la Dècada Internacional per l'Acció - Aigua per al Desenvolupament Sostenible i en el marc de l'objectiu 6 de desenvolupament sostenible de les Nacions Unides per al 2030: Garantir la disponibilitat d'aigua potable per a tothom.

Aquesta exposició vol donar veu al dret bàsic a l'aigua potable. En un to proper i positiu, convida a infants i adults a entrar, explorar i descobrir les múltiples facetes de la disponibilitat i l'ús de l'aigua al nostre planeta.

A partir de 29 mòduls expositius es fa una crida a l'acció i compromís individual i col·lectiu per a assegurar un futur amb accés a l'aigua per a totes les persones.. Les 4 àrees temàtiques de l'exposició exploren el contrast entre la vida amb i sense accés a l'aigua. Missatges clau com el concepte de petjada hídrica, la importància d'un sanejament adequat, les mesures eficients de gestió de l'aigua en les ciutats, i el paper crucial en els ecosistemes i la biodiversitat es mostren al llarg de tota l'exposició.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

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Aigua, una exposició sense filtre | Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona

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El gest d'obrir l'aixeta i que en ragi aigua potable, per a nosaltres, és una cosa que donem per feta, però per a més de 2.000 milions de persones és un desig impossible. Tanmateix es pot fer realitat. La ciència, la tecnologia, el coneixement i la creativitat tenen moltes respostes efectives per a aquest desafiament.

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Good Karma Projects - Action for the planet 

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"CLEAN UP KARMA" VOLUNTEERING IN BARCELONA

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"CLEAN UP KARMA" VOLUNTEERING IN BARCELONA

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Good Karma Projects - Action for the planet

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We are a non-profit organization with the mission of inspiring society to adopt a healthier and more environmentally friendly lifestyle, and thus, generate a positive impact on the planet.

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The impact of water scarcity on Spain's local wildlife and vegetation.

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Paths of water of Barcelona - Google Arts & Culture

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The distribution of water in the city of Barcelona is one of the pillars that has allowed it to evolve, progress, transform and project itself to the world as a modern and sustainable city. Much of this story is unseen and this includes more than 4,500 km of underground pipes.

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Paths of water of Barcelona - Google Arts & Culture

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The transformative element of Cerdà's Barcelona

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What will Spain look like when it runs out of water? Barcelona is giving us a glimpse | María Ramírez

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Walking through Barcelona these days, you can't miss the signs and billboards picturing a red plastic bucket and the message "Water doesn't fall from the sky" (l'aigua no cau del cel in Catalan). The ads are part of a campaign to get people to save water. Since the beginning of February, Barcelona and 200 other towns in Catalonia have been in an official drought emergency. That means more than 6 million people in the region live with restrictions. Daily water usage per inhabitant is limited. Parks are unwatered, fountains are dry and showers at swimming pools and beaches are closed. Farmers can't irrigate most of their crops and must halve their water usage for livestock or face fines.

It's not just Catalonia. The European Drought Observatory's map of current droughts in Europe shows the entire Spanish Mediterranean coast in bad shape, with red areas indicating an alert similar to those in north Africa and Sicily. Catalonia may be going through the worst drought on record for the area, but the southern region of Andalucía has faced continuous drought since 2016. Last year, Spain's droughts ranked among the 10 most costly climate disasters in the world, according to a report by Christian Aid.

Europe is warming at twice the rate of other continents. For Spain, this is not an abstract threat: climate disruption has already changed people's lives. Soaring temperatures force people to limit time spent outdoors to avoid heatstroke, an already fatal threat for workers in city streets and farms. Hotels are filling swimming pools with seawater and wondering what the next season will bring. Farmers are throwing out entire fruit crops so they can use precious water to at least save their trees. Olive oil production is crippled by severe heatwaves. Almond growers fear early flowering caused by the warmest January on record as it could ruin production again.

Uncertainty about crop production, prices and water supplies explains part of the unease of those farmers blocking roads and protesting in the streets of Spanish cities, after the recent example of their counterparts in France, Belgium and Germany. Beyond the current water shortages, they complain about a range of burdens, from onerous paperwork to unfair competition from countries outside the EU with lower environmental and health standards to tough requirements for funding. Paradoxically, protests are also about measures intended to reduce the impact of agriculture on the environment, and break a vicious cycle that ultimately worsens conditions for farmers too.

It's easy to see how these tensions could be exploited by populist parties, particularly on the far right. Mainstream politicians are accused of focusing too often on partisan politicking and power struggles related to their own survival.

As Catalonia was declaring the drought emergency, it was striking, for example, to watch how the Spanish government and most politicians were embroiled in protracted parliamentary discussions on an amnesty law for those who organised an unofficial independence referendum in Catalonia in 2017. It's easy to understand why ordinary citizens could feel there are more pressing issues.

The dry riverbed of the Ter in northern Catalonia, Spain, 6 February 2024. Photograph: Jordi Boixareu/Zuma Press Wire/Rex/Shutterstock

It's not accurate to caricature all farmers as victims or far-right stooges and to suggest they have no agency. Their unease is real - and it presents an opportunity that unscrupulous leaders can exploit.

Issues such as the climate crisis and tensions between big cities and depopulating Spanish regions are becoming more politicised. Sandra León, a professor of political science and director of the Carlos III-Juan March Institute, tells me that monitoring public attitudes over time, her research team has noticed a growing backlash against climate policies, particularly among men. At the same time, León says, the climate crisis and urban-rural tensions are issues that are not yet "completely crystallised" in Spain. If people have not yet formed very firm opinions on them, that surely leaves room for both partisan exploitation and fostering understanding.

The far-right party Vox and other populists could certainly capture these debates, León argues, but there are also grounds for hope that "spaces for understanding" can emerge as these issues are still not as polarised as others. This will require a lot of effort, though, first from mainstream politicians, including those in the opposition who are tempted to play the climate denialism card.

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Adaptation to the climate crisis is already happening in Spain, as there is no other choice. But much of it is improvised and tends to take place only when the worst has already happened.

Political leaders need to make sure that those most vulnerable to climate uncertainty, and who may have grievances about measures supposedly passed to help them, are prioritised. In many parts of Spain, water may not fall from the sky. But we can be sure that solutions won't fall from the sky either, no matter how many demagogic politicians say so.

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What will Spain look like when it runs out of water? Barcelona is giving us a glimpse | María Ramírez

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Angry farmers, worried tourism workers and unprepared politicians - Catalonia is on the frontline of a drought-stricken future, says Spanish journalist María Ramírez

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Three subsequent years of record low precipitation have taken a toll on northeastern Spain's Catalonia region. Satellite images show one of the region's largest reservoirs dried to a trickle in March 2024.

According to the Meteorological Service of Catalonia, 2023 was the second-driest year on a record that goes back 110 years, second only to 2022. The past three years in Catalonia have all seen the least amount of rain since 1914. In the meteorological agency's annual climate bulletin for 2023, the drought was described as the "worst on record." And parched conditions have continued into 2024: Parts of Catalonia received less than half of the average (1991-2000) rainfall from January through early March, and crops and reservoirs have dried up.

On February 1, 2024, the Catalan government declared a drought emergency, which put restrictions on water consumption for the region's 6 million residents, as well as businesses and farmers. Such an emergency is typically declared once reservoir levels drop below 16 percent. The average water levels of Catalonia's reservoirs stood at 14 percent on March 8, 2024. In Barcelona, the Catalan capital, public fountains and beachside showers had been turned off, according to news reports. Restrictions have also been placed on residential water, limiting daily use to about 210 liters (55 gallons) per person.

The Sau Reservoir (or Pantà De Sau), located 80 kilometers (50 miles) inland from Barcelona, is the region's second-largest reservoir. It was created in 1966 by damming the Ter River and flooding an old village, called Santa Romà de Sau. The reservoir serves as a water source for numerous towns in the area, including Barcelona.

The images above show the Sau Reservoir on March 3, 2023 (left) compared to March 4, 2024 (right). They were acquired by Landsat 9 and Landsat 8, respectively. Receding water has exposed bare ground at the bottom of the reservoir. Although not visible in the images, the lack of water has also exposed structures of the old village of Santa Romà de Sau, including an 11th-century church, which now stand on dry land.

Over the past three years, the water level in this reservoir has decreased substantially. In April 2023, the reservoir dipped to 7 percent of capacity. Continued drought in winter 2023 caused water levels to further recede. In early March 2024, the water level dropped to 1 percent of capacity. This time of year, the reservoir typically stands at about 65 percent of capacity. According to news reports, if the lack of rain continues, Barcelona may begin importing water from Valencia.
NASA Earth Observatory images by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Emily Cassidy.

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The large reservoir in Catalonia shrank to 1 percent of capacity in March 2024.

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Down to Earth - Barcelona's tourism industry going 'unpunished' amid drought, activists say

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As the Spanish region of Catalonia battles its worst drought on record, activists are beginning to question Barcelona's mass tourism model. Should Spain's most visited city be allowed to welcome even more tourists this summer amid a state of emergency? The Down to Earth team takes a closer look.

As of February 1, nearly 6 million people in Barcelona and its surrounding areas have been affected by water restrictions. Businesses have been ordered to cut water consumption by 25 percent, with the figure rising to a whopping 80 percent for farmers. Residents have also been asked to stay within a limit of 200 litres per day.

With the entire population facing restrictions, activists say the region's tourism industry is not doing its part. So far, hotels have been exempt from most restrictions. A ban on refilling swimming pools has come into effect, but many have already been filled up since last summer.

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Down to Earth - Barcelona's tourism industry going 'unpunished' amid drought, activists say

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As the Spanish region of Catalonia battles its worst drought on record, activists are beginning to question Barcelona's mass tourism model. Should Spain's most visited city be allowed to welcome even...

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Magdalena Coromina tapped the hard ground with her walking stick and looked up at a church that was meant to be underwater. Six decades ago, when engineers had built the reservoir in which she stood, they had flooded the town of Sant Romà de Sau and drowned its buildings. The rains that slaked the region's thirst had kept the ruins covered.

But that world no longer exists. Struck by a drought that has dried the reservoir to 1% of its capacity, the remains of the village have come back into view. Crumbling stone structures now sit on cracked soil among ashen plants. The church, whose spire used to poke above the surface during dry spells, today stands high above the waterline.

"It makes me so sad," said Coromina, an 85-year-old from the nearby city of Ripoll who came to see the ruins on an unusually warm February afternoon. She remembered rain and snow during winters when she was a girl. "Now? Nothing."

Catalonia, a rich region in the north-east of Spain, is in the grip of a drought that is killing its crops, choking its economy and restricting the lives of 6 million people who live under emergency measures. Scientists do not know what role the climate crisis has played in shrinking the region's water supply, but they say the fight to keep taps running is one that will sweep southern Europe as fossil fuel pollution heats it up and dries parts of it out.

The western coasts of the Mediterranean, in particular, will be hit by increased evaporation, shorter rainy seasons and less mountain snow cover, said Stefano Materia, a climate scientist at Barcelona Supercomputing Center. In cities such as Valencia in Spain, Marseille in France and Genoa in Italy - where industry and tourism are already putting pressure on scarce water resources - "this will likely increase the vulnerability".

Catalonia offers a glimpse of that future. At the start of February, after more than 1,000 days of drought, the regional government extended restrictions to cover Barcelona and other municipalities. Together with Spain's ecology ministry, it announced plans to invest nearly half a billion euros in desalination plants to make salty water fit for the tap. Officials also want to ship drinking water from wetter parts of the country and double the aid money for emergency works on the leaky network of pipes.

But as they wait for rain to fall and infrastructure to improve, Catalans are divided on how to share the water that remains. The dilemma has pitted locals, farmers and tourists against each other as they fight over a resource that is growing more scarce by the day.

"It's difficult to avoid these reactions, because when people suffer, they need to react somehow," said Meritxell Serret, Catalonia's foreign minister and former agriculture minister. "There is a lot that needs to be done - in every sector - and we are aware that we cannot demand they do that from one day to another."

Farmers, who use one-third of the water in the internal basin where most Catalans live, face the greatest pressure to cut their consumption. The Catalan government has ordered them to use 80% less water for irrigation and 50% less water for livestock, while asking industry to cut water use by 25%.

The "injustice" of the restrictions and the effects of the drought has left farmers feeling powerless, said Albert Grassot, the president of a local irrigation community. "It's a feeling of impotence, weakness and rage."

Driving through his rice farm near the medieval town of Pals, Grassot said the drought weighed on his mind more than the coronavirus pandemic and the energy crisis. If no rain falls in the next three months, he said, his family will be unable to sow seeds for the first year since his great-great-grandfather started farming the land.

The effects will ripple beyond his own farm, he added. Rice paddies use lots of water because the grain grows in flooded fields. But in Pals, which is just 3km from the coast, the centuries-old practice helps stop salt water from intruding inland and wreaking havoc on other crops and ecosystems.

In Barcelona, where public fountains are dry and beachside showers have been shut off, the burden of drought is lighter than in the villages but still hangs heavy over the city. Posters in subway stations warn in stern letters that "water doesn't fall from the sky".

After a previous drought struck Barcelona in 2008, the city invested in recycling wastewater, desalinating seawater and persuading citizens to save more drinking water. Its efforts have increased supply and brought the city's demand for water down to some of the lowest levels in Europe.

Alexander Ross, a geographer at Portland State University who has co-written a book on water politics in cities across the world, said Barcelona had been leading the way in many regards but that its ambitions still fell short of what was needed. "When even Barcelona is experiencing this kind of crisis - given its policies - it shows the rest of the world that it's time to act," he said.

Activists complain the government has been unwilling to crack down on tourists, who come for the hottest months of the year and on average use more than twice as much water as locals. Barcelona welcomed 10 million holidaymakers in 2022 - making it one of the most-visited cities in Europe - and the sector makes up 12% of the Catalan economy.

But hotels are starting to feel the heat. In the beachside party town of Lloret de Mar, a group of owners have asked the Catalan government for permission to buy a mobile desalination plant to avoid restrictions on their swimming pools. If they cannot fill them ahead of summer, they fear visitor numbers may plummet.

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So far, the tourism industry has faced little pressure to invest in structural changes to save water. Showers are often the biggest users of water in a hotel and the "greywater" that goes down the drain can be easily treated if kept separate from sewage, said Gianluigi Buttiglieri, a scientist at the Catalan Institute of Water Research. But without laws to mandate this, he added, "there is no incentive for them to do so".

The Samba, a three-star hotel in the centre of Lloret, is one of the few hotels in the Mediterranean that uses separate pipes. During renovation work 25 years ago, the management split the hotel's pipes so it can treat greywater in a tank in the basement before piping it back to guests' bathrooms.

The hotel is testing a separate system to filter it through stacked layers of plant-rich soil before disinfecting it. According to a study at the Samba that Buttiglieri co-authored last year, such a system would pay for itself within a decade.

Laura Pérez, a hotel manager responsible for sustainability, said that while the Samba had also been hit by restrictions on swimming pools - which under Spanish law cannot be filled with treated greywater - it was more resilient to drought than other hotels. "We are not suffering as much, because we need less water."

A similar concept can be seen on the outskirts of Manresa, a small industrial city farther inland. Pol Huguet, a councillor responsible for the environment, has begun to rewild six hectares of land near an abandoned disco to make the area more diverse and resilient to extreme weather. But the drought has delayed the project by at least a year. The young trees have not grown tall enough for sheep to arrive without the animals eating them.

Pointing at a forest behind him, Huguet said humans have altered the landscape in ways that have made it too vulnerable to hot, dry weather. "A wildfire can advance with enormous speed if there is homogeneity - with all the trees at the same height, very dense - and that's what we have here."

Officials share his concerns. Wary of forests that have turned into tinder boxes, the Catalan government announced on Friday it would reinforce its fire prevention units in February, four months earlier than planned. In many parts of Catalonia, it said, the drought is raising the risk of wildfires by taking the death and decay of plant matter to levels "never seen before in extent and distribution".

But while the effects of the drought are in many ways unprecedented, locals say the concept is one that Catalans know well.

In Manresa on Saturday, residents held a festival to celebrate the construction of a contested medieval canal called La Séquia that connected the town to the Llobregat River six centuries ago. Built after a series of famines, the canal irrigated Manresa's crops and later moved the looms of its once-thriving textile industry.

But a local bishop who owned mills upstream fought efforts to build it and excommunicated the entire town in the 14th century, worried that diverting the water would eat into his profits. Legends say he changed his mind after taking a flash of light as a sign that God wanted the canal built.

"Water wars have happened many times in history, in many places," said Huguet, staring at the dry vegetation in front of him. "Now it's happening again."

This article was amended on 3 March 2024. A previous version misnamed Alexander Ross as "Andrew".

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'It makes me so sad': church re-emerges from reservoir as Spain faces droughts

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Increased evaporation, shorter rainy seasons and less mountain snow cover are set to worsen water crises in the western Mediterranean

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Discover the European Commission’s proposals to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy while reaching climate neutrality by 2050.

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Drought emergency in Barcelona region: How long will residents accept water restrictions? | DW News

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Explained | World's Water Crisis | FULL EPISODE | Netflix

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‘The ocean and us’ - BBC Earth, United Nations Ocean Conference

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Hey, my name is Lisa and I am sixteen years old.

I love spending my free time with friends just hanging out or to go climbing. I adore going out for coffee in the morning or shopping with my friends. I am aspiring to study medicine after I finish school.

I am excited to meet all of you