Water crisis in Germany: Bans and high fines threaten everywhere!

Water crisis in Germany: Bans and high fines threaten everywhere!

The water crisis in Germany has reached a worrying peak. According to that WAZ We are experiencing the most severe dry phase since weather records began in 1881. The German Weather Service (DWD) confirms that from February to April 2025 the country experienced the driest period since 1931, with March in particular having only 21% of the usual precipitation.

The drought and heat are forcing some districts to ration water. Regions such as the Saale-Holzland district in Thuringia are particularly affected, where the withdrawal of water from streams, ponds and rivers for irrigation has been prohibited. Similar regulations apply in several districts, including Böblingen and Reutlingen in Baden-Württemberg as well as in Brandenburg, Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. These measures apply until the end of September, although exceptions are only possible at approved collection points.

Regional water withdrawal bans

Here are the counties where water withdrawal bans are already in effect:

• Baden-Württemberg: Landkreise Böblingen, Reutlingen, Tuttlingen, Schwarzwald-Baar-Kreis
• Brandenburg: Landkreise Dahme-Spreewald, Oberspreewald-Lausitz, Elbe-Elster, Spree-Neiße
• Niedersachsen: Region Hannover, Landkreise Wolfenbüttel, Gifhorn (ab 1. Juli)
• Sachsen-Anhalt: Altmarkkreis Salzwedel, Landkreis Stendal (ab 1. Juli)
• Hessen: Landkreis Hersfeld-Rotenburg
• Sachsen: Landkreis Nordsachsen
• Thüringen: Saale-Holzland-Kreis

The penalties for illegal water withdrawals are anything but small. In Hesse these can be up to 100,000 euros, while in Brandenburg fines of up to 50,000 euros have already been imposed. For this reason, it is particularly important to raise awareness among the population about the careful use of water, as demanded by the German Association of Cities and Municipalities (DStGB).

Causes and effects of drought

The reasons for the current water shortage are complex. Climate change and high water withdrawals are putting increasing strain on resources. Over the last 20 years, natural water reservoirs in Germany have lost a whopping 15.2 billion tons of water, while evaporation is increasing as temperatures rise. Forecasts show that eastern Germany in particular will be more affected by groundwater droughts in the future; There is a risk of particularly critical periods in terms of water supply.

The Federal Environment Agency emphasizes that soil moisture has fallen sharply in most regions of Germany. With only around 48 l/m² of precipitation in May 2025 - that's 68% of the usual amount - the natural water balance also falls far short of expectations. Agriculture suffers from these conditions, as irrigated agriculture in Germany only accounts for 2.5% of total water withdrawal.

Risk areas and future measures

What makes matters worse is that measures to control water abstraction are already being taken in some regions, while in others voluntary action still reigns supreme. According to a study by the Helmholtz Center Potsdam, measures to adapt to drought, such as improved water supply and adapted land management, must be massively expanded. Citizens are called upon to use rainwater for garden irrigation and thus actively contribute to reducing water consumption, as shown on Research and knowledge is to be read.

The ongoing drought poses challenges for the entire water cycle; Therefore, periods of drought are expected to be followed by periods of above-average rainfall. But until that happens, everyone should be alarmed - something is happening and responsible water use is more important than ever.