Concerns are rising over potential water shortages in several regions of Germany, according to the Managing Director of the German Association of Cities and Municipalities, André Berghegger. Recent summers have demonstrated an increasing frequency of prolonged drought periods, triggering localized water scarcity.
Berghegger emphasized the necessity of a careful and conscious approach to drinking water usage, suggesting measures such as restricting lawn watering and refilling private swimming pools. These steps are vital to avert temporary usage bans currently in place across numerous districts. He noted that water authorities possess the authority to implement such restrictions if necessary.
The President of the German District Council, Achim Brötel, advocated for condition-based restrictions, stating that the specifics of any limitations must be tailored to the concrete situation at the local level. He stressed the importance of maintaining local control over decisions regarding groundwater access.
Looking beyond immediate concerns, Berghegger has called for broader measures to safeguard municipal drinking water supplies in the long term. He highlighted the need to expand local water storage capacities and to develop modern, climate-neutral network structures collaborating with neighboring water providers. Berghegger also underscored the potential for conflicts of interest in water resource management, advocating for a clear prioritization of water use, with public drinking water supplies taking precedence in situations where demand outstrips supply.