Natural gas is easier on the environment than other fossil fuels, releasing up to fifty percent less emissions. Large players on the gas market in Germany include RWE Dea and E.ON Ruhrgas. Consumers across the Ruhr Metropolis are free to choose between many suppliers. However, a large majority of residents rely on a local city owned and run utility.

The use of gas in Germany as a power source stretches back a long way. Nowadays, gas stems from national sources in Germany as well as other countries. The fracking technique is highly controversial with disputes ongoing. Focus is turning to a neutral climate effect.

Renewable energy including solar and wind generation or an atomic opt out is highly complex in Germany. Following deregulation and consumer activity, many suppliers offer electricity but the Ruhr continues to reveal some of the highest energy costs in Europe.

When expats rent a house or flat, the cost of electricity is not normally included in the additional charges, Nebenkosten. Often originating from the late eighteen hundreds, many Stadtwerken are the local utilities company of choice in the Ruhr region.

Some 500 billion litres of water is acquired from the river Ruhr every year. The supply system includes 1000 waterworks, eight dams and five reservoirs. Drinking water originates from the waters, seepage and underground before reaching taps of consumers in the Ruhr.

The extremely high quality of drinking water is governed by both European directives and national law, while specimens are tested regularly. Comprehensive filtering and purification removes nearly all unwanted contaminants including micro-plastics.