<p>The Lower Water Authority (also known as the Water Management Department and Water Management Office) is usually part of the administration of a district or independent city in the Federal Republic of Germany. Its primary task is the enforcement of the Federal Water Act, the water laws of the respective state, and the legal ordinances issued based on these laws. This authority thus also implements, among other things, the provisions of the European Water Framework Directive. The scope for implementation is extensive, and the priority of tasks depends on the discretion of politicians and administrators. Limits are set by the availability of skilled workers, existing capacities and finances. Therefore, every Lower Water Authority should have a strategy that sets priorities for the implementation of projects with interest groups and partners and clearly explains these to the public. As an example, this article presents a strategy for the Duchy of Lauenburg in Schleswig-Holstein. This is a typically rural district whose water management is characterized by the influence of agriculture. The goal of the strategy is, among other things, to provide sufficient groundwater for drinking water production and water for agriculture in the future. However, this must not lead to lakes, moors and streams drying up.</p>