Water shortage Dresden bans water extraction from water bodies
Dresden: The city prohibits water extraction from almost all water bodies, the Elbe is not affected (archive image) Photo
© Robert Michael/dpa
In times of drought, water is scarce and a valuable commodity. The city of Dresden is now reacting to the ongoing heat wave. Even short rain showers cannot fundamentally solve the problem.
The city’s lower water authority has therefore issued a ban on taking water from surface waters in the city area. This will take effect from Thursday. Until further notice, owners and residents are not allowed to take water from city streams. Violations can be punished as an administrative offence. The fine is at least 50 euros.
Elbe exempt from ban
Water withdrawals for which a permit has been issued under water law are not affected. The Elbe is exempt from the ban. Hand-held vessels are permitted to be used in the Lockwitzbach and Weißeritz.
“Even the occasional heavy rainfall in recent weeks has not led to a lasting easing of the situation. It has done nature good, but the waters need much more. It would have to rain really heavily and persistently for almost a week for the situation to ease. According to the forecast, however, it will remain dry,” explained René Herold, head of the environmental agency.
Request from the administration: Use water carefully
There is currently no need to impose any restrictions on groundwater use, it said. The groundwater levels at the measuring points are currently on average around 20 centimeters below the monthly average of the last 15 years. This corresponds to a normal fluctuation. Finally, the administration reminded people of the general principle of always using water carefully and sparingly. Rainwater should preferably be collected and used for watering. In principle, watering in the early morning or late evening is recommended to minimize losses through evaporation. Lawns should generally not be watered.
dpa
#Topics
