Canals and streams
Freed from concrete - nature conservation meets drainage technology
The days of forcing rivers and streams into concrete channels are over. A rethink has been underway for a long time now. Away from purely functional use of waterways – towards a comprehensive consideration of the ecological, economic, and cultural functions of our waterways.
Back in early 2000, Mainz's public utility company invested €4,350,000 to "free" the Wildgraben from concrete. Since then, state-of-the-art drainage technology, nature conservation, and local recreation have come together here.
The renaturation of the Gonsbach stream in 2013 also led to the creation of new habitats. Native shrubs and trees such as willows, alders, ash trees, and oaks now line the stream of the wastewater treatment facility.