Water withdrawal in the Neckar-Odenwald district is severely restricted!

Water withdrawal in the Neckar-Odenwald district is severely restricted!

The natural situation in the Neckar-Odenwald district is getting worse: from July 14, 2025, the extraction of water from above-ground bodies of water will be severely restricted. This measure comes as a result of worrying low water levels in the region's rivers and streams RNZ reported. The regulation applies until September 30th and excludes all bodies of water, with the exception of the Neckar. Water users from agriculture, forestry and horticulture who use technical devices to extract water are particularly affected.

The district office appeals to those responsible to pay more attention than ever to using water respectfully. 'The water must stay in the water,' is the authority's urgent appeal. Private individuals still have the option of drawing small amounts of water using hand-held vessels such as watering cans or buckets. However, the restrictions also apply to existing water abstraction permits, provided these contain restrictions.

Reasons for the measures

The background to this strict regulation is alarming. The county has determined that discharges in most streams have fallen below or will soon reach mean low flows. Climate change is contributing to this worrying situation. In Germany, only 9% of rivers and lakes are in good ecological condition, and this is exacerbated by increasing drought and increasing flood events, such as this Federal Environment Agency explained.

On the one hand, a healthy water balance is crucial for the climate and biodiversity, but on the other hand the situation is also important for people. An intact landscape water balance not only ensures healthy ecosystems, but is also important for resilience to extreme weather events. This becomes even more evident at a time when pressure on soils and water is increasing.

Recommendations and outlook

The district office recommends that everyone affected collect water in rain barrels or cisterns when it rains. Water consumption should also be kept low in order to protect the resource that is endangered by drought. Unauthorized water withdrawals are not only unwise, but can also result in fines. The ban on extraction therefore not only represents a legal restriction, but also an urgent appeal for responsible use of the valuable resource water.

The current developments and the upcoming measures are an urgent signal: The community in the Neckar-Odenwald district is asked to find solutions together and rethink how we use water. This is the only way the region can respond to the culminating challenges of climate change.