Water emergency in Löcknitz: 14 hours without drinking water!

Water emergency in Löcknitz: 14 hours without drinking water!

An accident that led to a 14-hour total blackout of the drinking and water supply in Löcknitz and the surrounding towns on June 5th and 6th shocked local politicians. This became clear at a meeting of community representatives, in which Sven Reinke, chairman of the building and order committee, raised the issue. Many citizens, especially those without a garden, suffered from the lack of water supply, which was caused by a mistake during construction work, as Mayor Detlef Ebert explained.

Reinke suggested providing a water reserve tank for such emergencies. However, Mayor Ebert expressed concerns about this proposal: Because of the complex requirements for drinking water quality, the effort was not justified. Instead, Ebert planned to rebuild the main line to prevent future supply shortages.

Risk management in water supply

To avoid such incidents in the future, effective risk management is essential. According to the DVGW website, water suppliers must implement an effective, risk-based and process-oriented management system to ensure the safety of drinking water supplies. These measures, as regulated in DIN EN 15975-2, are intended to ensure continuous monitoring and optimization of security of supply. Particularly in the event of an emergency, supply must remain manageable in order to protect the health of the population. DVGW emphasizes that process security and resistance to external threats are central components of an effective system.

The recent accident is an example of the challenges facing the community and water utilities. Ebert mentioned the importance of information for affected citizens and suggested communication channels that can be used quickly in an emergency, such as using megaphones. A quick handshake with the Nentwich construction workers, who quickly repaired the defective line, shows how important cooperation is in times of crisis.

Preparation is everything

The discussion about total failure shows that it is important not only to react after an incident, but also to take proactive measures. Risk management in water supply is supported by the help of the DVGW. The aim is to carefully manage operational tasks and identify and eliminate possible weak points. This is the only way to ensure security of supply in Löcknitz and the surrounding area in the long term. TZW describes the need to systematically assess risks and develop a robust system that can also strengthen cooperation with regulators and the public.

Finally, it remains to be said that the feedback from citizens and suggestions from local politicians must be taken seriously. The incident clearly demonstrated that when it comes to water supply, caution is the key, and good preparation can make the difference in an emergency.