Water withdrawal ban in Lake Constance district extended until September!

Water withdrawal ban in Lake Constance district extended until September!

The situation surrounding water extraction in the Lake Constance district remains tense. As the Swabian reported, the ban on abstracting water from surface waters has been extended until Monday, September 15th. This measure is necessary to counteract the dwindling water reserves, which are falling dramatically despite a rainy July.

The district office announced in a press release that pumping from rivers, streams, canals, ponds and lakes remains prohibited. This regulation applies to public use and agricultural irrigation. However, there are some exceptions for cattle watering or scooping with hand vessels, although the district office appeals to avoid these in order not to put unnecessary strain on valuable water resources.

Water level and nature

Although the water levels were briefly stabilized due to the rainfall in the second half of July, there is now no rain in sight again. The forecasts are sobering and lead those responsible to expect low water levels throughout the district. The official bodies also point out that nature suffers greatly from a lack of water: drying out can result in the loss of all aquatic life.

The ban also has an impact on leisure activities. Agreements with canoe rental companies stipulate that no tours will be offered if there is a lack of water. Private paddlers are asked to seek alternative waters to reduce the impact on already weakened nature. At this point, a shared sense of responsibility is required to preserve the fragile ecology of the region.

Legal consequences

Anyone who does not adhere to the rules must expect severe fines of up to 10,000 euros. However, it is still possible to apply for exceptions to the withdrawal ban from the lower water authority, provided that local conditions permit such permission.

This also reports on the ongoing problems regarding Europe's waters European Parliament. The challenges concern not only the quantity but also the quality of the available water. According to the European Environment Agency, in 2021 only 37 percent of surface waters in the EU met the criteria for good ecological status.

Deteriorating water quality has numerous causes, including industrial chemicals and agricultural residues. These problems are particularly relevant when looking at water abstraction in the Lake Constance district, as sustainable management of water resources must ensure both a positive ecological condition and an adequate drinking water supply.

The extended general order on the subject of water withdrawal can be viewed online on the Lake Constance District website, and the responsible authorities remain hopeful that rain showers will temporarily improve the situation. Whether and when the ban can be relaxed depends on the development of water levels in the coming weeks.