What is good drinking water? 41 Years of risk perception on water quality in the vicinity of the Nuclear Research Centre Karlsruhe, 1956–1997

This article traces the historical evolution of risk perception around Nuclear Research Centre Karlsruhe, Germany, from 1956 to 1997. It does so by targeting water-related risks. Federal hopes in postwar era that would bring progress and prosperity clashed with local values nuclear engineering as dangerous health environment. Various conflicts arose opponents made use their past lived-knowledge foster arguments against future decision-making, mobilizing stories shape future. The conflict culminated 1990s, when municipality decided lease Centre's waterworks for drinking water supply. main argument is even though public discourse shifted over years pollution toward greater risks such meltdowns, stayed shows how locals perceived narrated decision-making authorities well reasoning scientists experts. 本文追溯了1956年至1997年德国卡尔斯鲁厄核研究中心附近的风险感知的历史演变。为此，本文以与水相关的风险演变为研究对象。联邦政府在战后时代希望核研究中心带来进步和繁荣，这与地方价值观和关于核工程危害健康和环境的地方感知相冲突。除了不同冲突的出现，反对者还利用其过去的生活知识来支持其反对未来决策的论点，同时调用过去的故事来影响未来。冲突在20世纪90年代达到高潮，当时市政当局决定租用该中心的自来水厂作为未来饮用水供应。本文的主要论点认为，尽管多年来公共话语从水污染转向核熔毁等更大的风险，但地方风险感知仍然停留在与水有关的风险上。本文展示了当地人如何感知和叙述其风险感知，后者反对当局的决策和科学家与专家的推理。 Este artículo rastrea la evolución histórica de percepción del riesgo en torno al Centro Investigación Alemania, desde hasta Lo hace centrándose los riesgos relacionados con el agua. Las esperanzas federales posguerra que traería progreso y prosperidad chocaron valores locales ingeniería como peligrosa para salud medio ambiente. Surgieron varios conflictos oponentes hicieron uso su conocimiento vivido pasado fomentar sus argumentos contra toma decisiones futuras, movilizando historias dar forma futuro. El conflicto culminó década 1990, cuando municipio decidió arrendar las obras hidráulicas futuro suministro agua potable. principal argumento es que, aunque discurso público cambió a lo largo años contaminación mayores riesgos, fusiones nucleares, se mantuvo muestra cómo lugareños percibieron narraron frente autoridades, así razonamiento científicos expertos. Drinking Germany usually praised best-controlled food can be enjoyed almost without exception. What constitutes high-quality defined law and, according German Institute Standardisation, should “inspire enjoyment, other words, it colorless, clear, cool odorless tasty” (Deutsches Institut für Normung, 2017). Since this one basic human needs, receives special social attention. Apart central role humans' consumption, also plays industry. Rhine particular, its many different functions ranging navigation transport hydropower electricity generation, waste disposal, supply, supply cooling industry fishery irrigation crops has proven site conflicting interests (Cioc, 2002). A significant developed period 41 Karlsruhe. started 1956, idyllic valley borderlands between Southwest France was turned into Germany's capital siting Leopoldshafen north community feared decrease quality. ran like thread through history society. Local concerns quality soon led population, Centre, state authorities. mayor Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen first later purchase municipality. takeover became strategic component municipality's long-term strategy (Ingenieurbüro Müller 1993), which aimed at modernizing securing During phases conflict, cited violations rules interpretations limit basis counter-arguments. In 2012, historians technology Rolf-Jürgen Gleitsmann Günther Oetzel wrote foreword book Fortschrittsfeinde im Atomzeitalter (Enemies Progress Age) little had changed media Hardtwald communities' resistance since 1950s. As before, citizens were troublemakers who clung past. contrary self-image individual opponents, did not necessarily see themselves power; they merely more pronounced critical environmental awareness than some decision-makers. why rhetoric taken seriously any point during focus here. Even repeatedly used make meaningful, believed or perceptions exaggerated. Conflicts resources tend political involvement matters often dismissed (Agnew, 2011). Furthermore, remains marginalized field research sciences compared quantity (Karpouzoglou et al., 2018; Rusca have given attention correspond importance topic. Especially so-called global North, good been granted hence rarely problematised. Little paid because objectionable. United Kingdom, example, responsibility lay administrators, scientists, lawyers. However, trust these institutions begun crumble recent due threat privatization, climate change, various toxins (Hamlin, 1990). More attention, on hand, extreme cases pollution. These include, among others, oil spills (Johnson, 2019), toxic pesticides (Schiff, 2017) industrial general, radioactive contamination (Avenell, 2012). radiation protection received considerable (Kalmbach, 2017), deeper entanglement mostly disregarded (Högselius, 2022). communication technological dates back 1970s, much improved terms effectiveness date. Residents still do want risky technical installations neighborhood, most likely fact politics address needs those affected, but only provide information about potential (Fischhoff, 1995; Löfstedt, 2003). accidents Chernobyl Fukushima shown politicians need work strategies (Slovic, intended contribute better understanding population. serve preventively include communicated strategies. increasingly carried out 1970s 1980s, coinciding increased planning power plants. protests Wyhl plant particular marked caesura, stood authoritarian energy policy Republic. Increased Republic's policy, already existed second half example protest will show resulting movements form short term, establish long time. Social events give current impact. Opposing actors are always aware events. Moreover, act behalf larger take action. An existing movement therefore offers disgruntled opportunity engage goal. then linked together strengthen scope opposition (Tilly, 2006). next section conceptualizes narratives. ensuing sections theoretical framework analyse case vicinity Centre. story told backward, beginning 1997 hearing decision Tiefgestade following, episodes 1950s recounted understand argumentation 1990s. antichronological narrative serves clarify opposition. origins psychology. Both fields dominant area (Slovic 1982). cases, time-limited snapshots perception. contrasts approach, article. following paragraphs introduce set foundation clear context. By exploring narratives I attempt illustrate complex issue perceiving uncertainty lead population ultimately policies 1987). pluralistic society, there cannot approach (Sellke & Renn, Risks manifold perspectives them. differently assessed concretely, simply lack knowledge them risk, is, debated what (not)considered (Renn, 2008). article, define referring an action object poses. Uncertainty refers possible consequences outcomes pose something people value (Aven 2009). undesired relate lie future, impact evident present, matter time before occur (Beck, 1986; Mairal, 2020). easy measure grave outcome neither (Riesch, pertains environment speak itself. if problem exists, picked up apply nonvisible problems Kupper, 2003; Sörlin Wormbs, 2018). subjective guarantee actually risk. To discussed brought wider audience J. X. Kasperson societal here understandings put Nevertheless, foremost ignored talked down 1986). dependent constructed, damage caused gives rise event real. How countered depends tackle dichotomy makes difficult. prefers confronted unknown, experts decide part communicated. called full disclosure all dealing with. important communicate uncertainties process (R. Kasperson, 2014). that, question gets tell being heard. Often turns widely reality affected ground, get interpret (Mayer, become tangible emerge imagination (Mairal, 2020; Mayer, With stories, explain world Despite play world, sufficient scholarship (Heise, 2008; Through impressions feelings shared. Although culture defining effect community, positive receptive Narratives shaped environment, help anew shifting imbalances introducing new practices (De Fina Georgakopoulou, 2015). risks, create Because means dangers, interesting function retrospectively grasping (Freeman, Thus, connect three levels time: past, present. Historicizing valuable way gaining sites. Risk linear relies heavily processes recognition systems. Often, science moment (Boudia Jas, 2007; Lash Wynne, 1992), behind (Mohun, 2016). Additionally, lacks both theorization conceptualization issues portrayed. place context; must interpreted deeply. deal relatively phenomenon. Mostly, theories (Itzen Müller, aims rather detail emphasis nevertheless “the historian's temporality longer ‘the thirty gone by’” reference by, Beck 2007). although disciplines conflicts, like, phase occurrence controversy included analysis Being able where come from, came resistance, mistakes could avoided, paves cooperation finding sustainable solutions. Methodologically, situated qualitative based published unpublished writings. archival materials General State Archive Karlsruhe Main Stuttgart, Archives Baden-Württemberg. addition, interviews conducted early 1990s surroundings. 1992, debating majority obtained wells Eggenstein (766,430 m3 1991) two Viermorgen (153,863 plus external procurement (77,650 (Bürgermeisteramt Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, 1992). covered peak-period demand Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen. arrangement dated 1977. At time, foreseeable suffer shortage summer growth. company magazine stated: “By contract prerequisites created establishing necessary facilities transferring pipeline Leopoldshafen”1 (Kernforschungszentrum 1977). generally sufficient, expected growing 13,500 1993 20,000 2005 1993). Water Concept 2000 wanted plan ahead. initial idea build fourth waterworks. housing development zone eventually interfere planned zone, low meant built. same previous experiencing demand, desirable maybe sell Tiefgestade. fully functionable, lines recently overhauled 1992; Gemeinde emerged leasing mutual interest 1993, submitted proposition catchment close Leopoldshafen. 50:50 mix Ingenieurbüro produced consisted partly groundwater flowing underground bank-filtered water. ratio varied level Rhine, amount inflowing groundwater, rate withdrawal. originally multipurpose reactor, went 1965 1977; Sperling, facility supposed 450 500 per hour needs. enough water, envisaged initially designed 1000 m3/h final capacity 160 (Regierungspräsidium 1962; Wirtschaftsministerium Baden-Württemberg, 1962). stated inhouse newspaper bank filtration, determined distance each other, drawn off, ensured adequate purification Two later, open letter working group “water” citizen Tiefgestade's production capacities exploited impaired bank-filtrate Karlsruhe-Öffentlichkeitsarbeit, 1979). purposes 1960s supplied surplus times need, mayor's 1992 met strong criticism environmentalists. Opponents specifically criticized proximity River. view citizens' initiative, pollutants originated filtrate. discharged wastewater lowland canal discharges conclusively addressed regard missteps malpractices highlight state, citizens. examine situation context 41-year seemed reach peak regarding decades. late presented After Second World War worries country might keep countries. One elites science, technology, respond call establishment program. Physicists Werner Heisenberg solution pressing questions after war centers seen He predicted competitive again major development. War, associated bombs (Laufs, Mignon Kirchhof Trischler, opinion scientific differed greatly atomic age. Some very critical, (nuclear) painted utopian picture enormously expensive needed funded tax money (van Lente, worldwide fear euphoria First International Conference Peaceful Uses Atomic Energy Geneva (Müller Paul, source propel ships vehicles, desalinate sea improve medicine, biology agriculture (Rusinek, West-German government especially chancellor Konrad Adenauer saw peaceful essential politics. concerned economic affairs foreign, sovereignty policy. wealth, growth, reconstruction, peace (Gleitsmann, uniting entity Europe West minister Ludwig Erhard pictured Upper “second Ruhrgebiet” 1954 1988). Erhard's assessment instrumental decisions resided him vision, hub 100,000 workers opportunities work, income growth 2002) proved perfect extensive planning. step nuclearisation Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen2 ordinary administrative district quaintly Hardtwald, historic woodland known “green lung” conservation established 1962 parts: 4730 hectares south approximately 2177 (Landratsamt municipalities amid nature preserve 2020a, 2020b). Hardtwald's natural western border. Rudolf Greifeld3, manager described tasks organization 1958 journal Atombrief (Greifeld, 1958). respect power. possibility participate possibly develop plants endeavor Republic 30%, Baden-Württemberg 20% finance 50% supervisory board 12 members, five whom belonged companies involved Badenwerk, Siemens-Schuckertwerke, GHH, Mannesmann, Hoechst (W. D. choice rural densely populated hardly coincidental; rather, evidence minimize (Meyer, Hardtwald. 1961, just under 10,000 (Statistisches Landesamt 2020), impression decisionmakers moved urban surroundings neglected forward thesis redistribution taking latest federal reactor station vehement distribution away cities underdeveloped contested age 1960s, skeptical bright region's Minister Economics, Hermann Veit, laid 18th century. Uranium discovered Black Forest 1793 led, 1956. According uranium deposits, albeit few number, provided impulse consideration (Veit, Economic prospects incentive neighboring municipalities. promises Ruhrgebiet,” however, partially kept industries independent centre settle hoped, somewhere else precisely presence. beginning, four reactors built fifth