The days when rivers and streams were confined exclusively to concrete channels are over. A shift in thinking began long ago—moving away from the purely utilitarian use of waterways toward a comprehensive consideration of the ecological, economic, and cultural functions of our waterways.

As early as 2000, the Wirtschaftsbetrieb Mainz invested 4,350,000 euros 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 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 course of the wastewater treatment facility.