Water withdrawal is prohibited in the Enzkreis: summer routine becomes a reality!

Water withdrawal is prohibited in the Enzkreis: summer routine becomes a reality!

From July 23rd to October 15th, 2025, the withdrawal of water from streams, rivers and lakes is prohibited in the Enzkreis. The district office decided on this measure by ordinance in order to protect the water balance and water ecology. Previously it was allowed to withdraw small amounts of water without special permission, but this no longer applies. This applies to both scooping with hand-held vessels and the small amount of water withdrawn for agricultural purposes using technical devices such as pumps or hoses. Environmental agency head Axel Frey describes this restriction as a “sad summer routine” and makes it clear that the situation in the waters requires a reassessment of the ban should the situation ease.

What does that mean? In the last few months, the water levels in the surface waters in the Enzkreis have fallen continuously. June 2025 was particularly dry, with only around 57 percent of the usual amount of precipitation between February and June. This has led to a worrying decline in water levels, even in bodies of water that do not normally dry out. Therefore, the ordinance was adopted to protect aquatic ecology, as low water levels can make it difficult for species to move and cause faster warming and falling oxygen levels. This promotes fish mortality and other ecological problems, which also affects the recovery of the aquatic ecology after damage.

A look at the background

The water withdrawal ban is not the first of its kind in the Enzkreis. Since 2018, there have been increasing measures to respond to the difficult water situation. Climate change and changing precipitation patterns play a significant role in the aggravated situation; groundwater levels are falling and dry periods are increasing. The newly introduced National Water Strategy (NWS) is therefore dedicated to securing long-term water supplies. This strategy aims to reduce usage conflicts and distribute water resources fairly. In view of these challenges, all water users are asked to check their water permits, as unauthorized water withdrawals can be punished with fines.

First state official Hilde Neidhardt has announced that the ban may be lifted early if the situation eases before mid-October. The city of Pforzheim is continuing to monitor the situation closely and has so far seen no reason for its own water withdrawal ban, even though the preliminary stage for low water levels had been reached.

If you are looking for further information about the regulations, you can read the current legal ordinance on the district office's website and find out about the applicable regulations.