As of: February 16, 2024, 7:13 a.m
By: Laura Forster
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That's how high the water was in Gabriele Oswald-Rübig's basement in Auweg.
There are now nine drying devices in the rooms.
(Symbolic image) © Ursula Baumgart
It's news that makes many people affected by groundwater in Garching sit up and take notice: according to the district office, the city is allowed to provide financial help.
But the mayor is skeptical.
Garching - First the damage, now a silver lining: Those affected by the high groundwater in Garching can now hope for financial help from the city.
Since the end of last year, some citizens in the southeast of Garching have had many sleepless nights.
The town hall is aware of around 75 addresses that are affected by the rise in groundwater, which has caused cellars to fill.
The damage is enormous and insurance companies usually don't pay.
Most of those affected are stuck with the costs – up to six figures.
The city's solidarity was and is great.
It has set up an email address and a hotline that affected older and needy citizens can contact.
Clubs and institutions had offered their support, for example by clearing out a basement.
There were also special tours for bulky waste and the special usage fee for setting up a waste container on public property was eliminated.
But financial help is not possible - the administration assumed that until recently.
At the most recent meeting of the main and finance committee, Mayor Dietmar Gruchmann (SPD) announced that the city could now help those affected with money.
“That came as a surprise to me because the district administrator had previously told me to my face that it wasn’t possible.”
The question is, where do we start and where do we end?
We are opening a door that has not been opened before.
Florian Baierl (UG)
Due to a suggestion from the SPD parliamentary group to support every household affected by high groundwater with up to 2,000 euros, the administration once again asked the legal supervision department in the district office whether such help was fundamentally possible.
The answer: Yes, because the general ban on gifts does not apply if the support is defined as another voluntary task.
However, the authority recommends creating guidelines.
“I’m completely open and honest,” said Gruchmann.
"I would not do that.
That causes resentment among the citizens.” Florian Baierl (UG) saw it similarly.
“The question is, where do we start and where do we end?
We are opening a door that has not been opened before.” Daniela Rieth (Greens) suggested a donation account that anyone can pay into.
According to the treasurer's office, this is possible.
The topic should be discussed again in the committee.
Further news from Garching and the Munich district can be found here.