Low water levels are also taking a growing toll on ecosystems — and could eventually drive up the cost of clean drinking water. High temperatures, low water levels and elevated salinity allowed a toxic invasive algae to spread. In other words, Germany's drinking water comes from those wells. Low water levels hitting the economyLow water levels in Germany's rivers are already taking a significant toll on the economy. One proposal under discussion was deepening parts of the Rhine's navigation channel so shipping can continue despite low water levels.