Diepholz in need: District administration calls for urgent water saving!

Diepholz in need: District administration calls for urgent water saving!

The ongoing drought has now also reached the Diepholz district, where the district administration is calling on the population to save water. The reason for this appeal is the drastically reduced water levels in surface waters and groundwater, which are leading to a tense water situation. The administration asks all citizens to use their water as sparingly as possible in order to prevent the situation from getting worse. If rain continues to fail and evaporation rates remain high, it could quickly become a serious problem. Weser courier reports that targeted measures are urgently needed in both agriculture and the private sector.

A look at the weather situation shows that since February 2025, Germans have been experiencing the driest period since 1931. According to the German Weather Service, precipitation fell to a dramatic low in March. With just 21% of the rainfall compared to the 1991-2020 reference period, March is ranked as the sixth driest since records began in 1881. May didn't spoil us with the expected rain either and only brought about 68% of the usual amount of precipitation. This information makes it clear that water withdrawal is currently 10.1% of the long-term average water supply, which is leading to water shortages in several regions of Germany. The Federal Environment Agency highlights that long-term drought also endangers groundwater levels.

Practical tips for saving water

In order to reduce water consumption, the district administration recommends targeted strategies. In agriculture, irrigation should mainly take place in the early morning or evening to avoid evaporation losses. Avoiding regular watering of garden areas is also a sensible measure in private households. Lawns, for example, usually recover quickly after rainfall, so excessive watering is often not necessary. The irrigation traffic light on the district's website, which provides daily information about the evaporation situation, provides additional awareness.

Another valuable tip concerns the use of groundwater. This should only be done if it is essential for food production. In order to avoid an increase in water consumption, the district administration advises people to visit outdoor pools instead of private swimming pools. This not only has a positive effect on water consumption, but also ensures that you can really enjoy the cool water!

The role of climate change

The current drought in Germany clearly shows how climate change influences weather patterns. Regional differences in water availability are becoming increasingly pronounced, and various adaptation strategies are necessary to meet the challenges posed by persistent drought. Initiatives at local and national levels, such as the German Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, are therefore essential in order to be better prepared against such extreme weather situations now and in the future.

It is up to each of us to use the valuable resource water carefully and to heed the tips given. Sharing water saving tips in the neighborhood can also help raise awareness of this important issue and work together to ensure sustainable water use.