Offenbach decides to set up a monitoring network for urban climate, water levels and groundwater levels

In order to better meet the challenges of climate change, the city of Offenbach is planning to set up a comprehensive measurement network for temperature, precipitation, humidity, river levels and groundwater levels, according to a resolution passed by the city councillors on August 28, 2025. This will be supplemented by an information campaign to inform citizens about climate risks and precautionary measures.

"We have long been feeling the effects of climate change in Offenbach: longer heatwaves, heavy rainfall and drought. They pose growing risks to health, water resources, soil, infrastructure and buildings. With a new monitoring network, we are creating a solid data basis in order to be able to react in a more targeted manner and develop preventative measures. Until now, we have only received measurement data from the German Weather Service's weather station in the weather park outside the city. We don't have the data for the city center, where heat islands form," explains Mayor Sabine Groß.

Continuous measurements of the water levels of the Bieber and Hainbach rivers should help to better assess low and high water risks in future. In the case of groundwater, too, permanently operated measuring points are intended to achieve better spatial coverage of the city area and enable a better understanding of the groundwater situation as a basis for water management planning and decisions. This is an important prerequisite for sustainable urban development.

All data is to be integrated into the city's existing sensor data platform and made publicly accessible at a later date.

At the same time, an information campaign will be launched to highlight topics such as heat prevention, heavy rainfall, drought, species extinction and the spread of alien plant species. Flyers, posters, events and digital services will be used to provide information for the population, especially for particularly vulnerable groups.

"The measurement network and the information campaign are two key building blocks for creating knowledge, enabling prevention and strengthening the resilience of our city," Groß continues. The measures are financed via the city's climate protection budget.