Water shortage in Bavaria: Bad Königshofen is becoming a steppe!

Water shortage in Bavaria: Bad Königshofen is becoming a steppe!

In the south of Germany, more precisely in Bavaria, there is an increasing and serious water shortage. How br.de reported that groundwater levels have fallen by a fifth since 2010. The region around Bad Königshofen in the Rhön-Grabfeld district, which is not called the “Steppe of Bavaria” for nothing, is particularly affected. The city's mayor issued a water conservation order last summer that has far-reaching consequences. For example, watering lawns, playgrounds, sports fields and agricultural areas is prohibited, not to mention a ban on car washing.

The main cause of this worrying development is climate change. The earth has warmed by 0.9 degrees since 1881, and in Lower Franconia it has even warmed by two degrees - more than twice as much as the global average. The “Good to Know” program, which will be broadcast on September 19, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., aims to highlight efforts in agriculture, industry and municipalities to save water and provide science-based solutions.

The facts about water scarcity

The situation is not limited to Bavaria alone. Loud Umweltbundesamt.de There are many factors that lead to water shortages in Germany. The climatic conditions result in a low water supply, while water quality problems, such as nitrate pollution, add to the burden. In addition, agriculture and metropolitan regions require high water withdrawals, which makes the situation even more complicated.

The consequences of the ongoing drought are already noticeable. How zdfheute.de According to reports, Germany loses 2.5 cubic kilometers of fresh water every year - this corresponds to the volume of Lake Constance. During the drought years from 2018 to 2021, the country experienced a dramatic decline in groundwater. Over 70% of drinking water in Germany relies on the treacherous depths of groundwater. At almost half of the 6,700 groundwater measuring points, the values ​​fell to their lowest level since 1990.

Strategies against water scarcity

But what can you do about this development? The WADKlim research project has developed approaches and recommendations for action for sustainable water management, which are also part of the German adaptation strategy to climate change. The future will show whether these concepts, such as improved water retention or the promotion of water efficiency, will actually work.

The challenges are diverse. Greater consideration of natural ecosystems in water management considerations and better data on water use are essential. UNESCO recommends taking far-sighted measures to avoid water shortages, and the Federal Environment Ministry's national water strategy with its 80 measures by 2030 could be an important step here.

The situation remains tense and far-sighted solutions are needed to secure the water supply in Germany in the long term. The next time will show whether the findings from research will be implemented into concrete measures.