Case study Berliner Wasserbetriebe

Berliner Wasserbetriebe seals their manhole covers with the Rat Cap from Futura Germany, thus blocking rats from entering the sewer system.

Who are Berliner Wasserbetriebe?

Berliner Wasserbetriebe supplies around 3.6 million Berliners with clean drinking water
Take over the disposal of wastewater
In doing so, they harmonize ecology, social issues and efficiency - not least through the use of innovative and trend-setting methods

Date of origin: Nov. 2020
Author: Sascha Kokles

Download Case study (German)

“The RatCap is in itself a simple solution. The rat should be locked out of the sewer system with existing means - a super idea. [...] Theoretically, we can close off our entire sewer system so that the rat no longer has access.”

Sascha Kokles

WHY DID BERLINER WASSERBETRIEBE DECIDE TO WORK WITH FUTURA GERMANY?

Berliner Wasserbetriebe is always on the lookout for the latest and best methods of rat control. While legal regulations as well as environmental and animal welfare concerns make it difficult to use poison baits in the sewage system, possible alternatives should be tested. In the search for such alternatives, the organization discovered Futura Germany's Rat Cap.

THE CHALLENGE

Due to the ingress and egress of rats in the sewer system, the population has long associated sewers with rat infestations - and this is a problem for the reputation of water companies and generates complaints from citizens time and again.

In addition, rats can carry diseases, germs and bacteria and even make it into private homes through the sophisticated sewer system. To prevent this, Berliner Wasserbetriebe takes action against the pests. But poisonous baits can be washed away during heavy rains and thus pose a major environmental risk.

the solution

Due to the practical relevance and the openness of Berliner Wasserbetriebe towards new approaches, the RatCap could be tested and further developed in cooperation with Futura Germany.

In the meantime, several non-toxic alternatives are already being tested at Berliner Wasserbetriebe, including digital beat traps and monitoring systems.

THE RESULT

The following successes have been achieved through the collaboration so far:

Berliner Wasserbetriebe is testing poison-free ways to control pests.
Entry points above manhole covers are sealed with RatCaps from Futura Germany.
Digital beat traps help with population reduction and monitoring.
Poison-free alternatives are compared with conventional methods (toxic baits) so that the best methods can be used in the future.

THE INTERVIEWEE

Sascha Kokles

Operating engineer at Berliner Wasserbetriebe
Area of responsibility: Faults in the wastewater system
Coordination of service teams, evaluation and implementation of technical measures