Germany’s Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has cautioned about the increasing impact of climate change on water resources and usage
According to UBA water expert Jörg Rechenberg, prolonged dry spells, shifting precipitation patterns and the resultant lowering of groundwater and river levels are creating an imbalance between water demand and availability These regional and seasonal shortages are intensifying conflicts between various water users, including power generation, public drinking water supplies, industrial operations and agriculture
The agency stresses the importance of responsible water management across all sectors Rechenberg emphasized that regional water authorities are best positioned to manage water extraction effectively, given their detailed knowledge of local water availability and usage patterns
The UBA expert indicated that nationwide restrictions on water usage could become necessary, potentially impacting activities like garden and sports field irrigation and the filling of swimming pools He noted that local districts could implement such limitations through general administrative orders focused on water conservation