#16: Weser-Ems region, with a focus on the county of Oldenburg

Main actors are farmers and the regional drinking water supplier. Due to intensive agricultural activities in the region (maize cultivation, animal husbandry) and the production and spreading of excess manure or biogas production residuals on the fields, nitrate concentrations in the groundwater are rising. The water supplier fears that the groundwater resources used for drinking water production are under threat and high investment costs are necessary for ensuring the drinking water quality. One way of tackling the problem are drinking water cooperations that use the tool of voluntary agreements. However, specifically in this region that tool is unsuccessful.