The small town of Baruth is just over an hour's train ride out of Berlin. Some 4,500 people live here and in the 12 surrounding villages that make up the municipality. Forests and a few fields dominate the landscape.

Two years ago, energy drinks maker Red Bull and its partner Rauch took over operations from a mineral water company, acquiring its rights to 2.37 million cubic meters of groundwater each year.

Up to now, the new owners have used less than half that amount. But uptake looks set to more than double under recently approved development plans.

Brandenburg, which encircles the German capital, is one of the driest regions in the country. It's being hard hit by climate change. This winter, less rain fell here than in any other German state. Rising temperatures and changing rain patterns are also leading to increased water loss due to evaporation — and, as a result, sinking groundwater levels.

Baruth's mayor Peter Ilk says there is enough water to go around: "We are using a maximum of 25% of the water available. I don't believe that we are an area that will have any problems in the near future. We are talking in the region of maybe 30, 50 years," he told DW.

Unter the existing permit, some 92% of the water being extracted by Baruth's local waterworks, WABAU, goes to the drinks manufacturers and 8% to the districts' residents. Under German law water is designated........

© Deutsche Welle