Water withdrawal in the Bamberg district: Temporary ban during drought!

Water withdrawal in the Bamberg district: Temporary ban during drought!

The Bamberg district office recently published alarming news about water extraction. Due to persistent dry periods, which are occurring more and more frequently and affecting the water bodies in the Bamberg district, the extraction of water has been severely restricted. In many cases this becomes necessary to protect the banks and the plants and animals that live there. Almost all water sections in the district are currently classified as 'very low', which already makes irrigation for riparian use impossible.

Again Wiesentbote reported, the abstraction of water from surface bodies of water is no longer permitted without appropriate water law permission. Residents must apply for this permit from the district office, although in the current situation it is urgent to take the minimum water flow of the water into account. Currently, even holders of such permits are not authorized to withdraw water.

The appeal for thrift

The district office has also given clear information that any water withdrawal further pollutes the waters. It is therefore urgently necessary to be restrictive when watering in the garden and other forms of water extraction. In this context, this is a warning Heiligenstadt market from the risks associated with excessive water extraction during such dry periods. Reduced water levels have already been documented in spring 2025 and in recent years.

Another aspect is the increasing displacement of possible uses. Sailing on larger bodies of water, such as the Main, with a canoe is now prohibited. These measures are part of efforts to protect aquatic ecology and prevent adverse changes to water resources.

Climate change and water balance

A key background to these developments is climate change, which has a significant impact on the water balance. This is also shown by an analysis of Ecologic, which documents the effects of increasing droughts and falling groundwater levels. These problems lead to usage conflicts between different areas such as agriculture, industry and drinking water supply.

To address these challenges, the National Water Strategy (NWS) was launched in 2023. Their goal is to secure the water supply in the long term and minimize usage conflicts. Supportive measures include the development of guidelines for dealing with water scarcity and the strategic planning of water withdrawals.

Finally, it is extremely important for all residents and users to be aware of the current situation and show responsibility. The request for restraint in water abstraction during dry periods is not just a request, but a necessity in order to protect and preserve valuable water resources. Anyone who violates the water law regulations must expect fines, as the district office has made clear. It is up to all of us to be good neighbors and water protectors.