Water withdrawal ban in Potsdam-Mittelmark: dryness forces action!

Water withdrawal ban in Potsdam-Mittelmark: dryness forces action!

The summer heat strikes: From now on the irrigation of private green spaces in the Potsdam-Mittelmark district is prohibited during the day. The corresponding ban applies between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and also affects the water withdrawal from above -ground waters such as lakes and rivers for irrigation purposes. These measures came into force on July 5, 2025 to counteract the dramatically low water level in the region. Already ten other Brandenburg counties, including Spree-Neisse, Cottbus and Elbe-Elster, have issued similar regulations maz-online.de.

How the water level has dropped in many Brandenburg waters and the warm, low-rainy weeks demand their tribute are not only shown in the Potsdam-Mittelmark district. A corresponding regulation has also been put into force in Brandenburg an der Havel and in the Havelland since July 1. Here, too, water withdrawal from surface waters is prohibited, while in Havelland only groundwater may be removed between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. The ban on the water is aimed at maintaining the water supply and is expected to apply until September 30, 2025 rbb24.de.

water shortage in Brandenburg

The heat has tightened the matter: In Brandenburg, 15 out of 18 counties already suffer from “groundwater stress”, which means that more groundwater is removed than is caused by precipitation. According to a study by the BUND for the Environment and Nature Conservation (Confederation), this problem is particularly engraving in many regions of Brandenburg and in Berlin tag24.de.

The climate crisis is also clearly noticeable here, with fewer precipitation and also accelerated evaporation processes. Every year, far more groundwater is taken in Berlin and Brandenburg than is sustainable. Over 90 percent of the drinking water is obtained from groundwater, so rethinking in water policy is therefore more than urgently needed, according to the demands of the federal chairman Carsten Preuss. He emphasizes that adjustments to the water usage charges could be an important step tag24.de.

violations of the new regulations force the local water authorities to control, with sensitive fines of up to 50,000 euros. The drinking water supply remains guaranteed for the time being, but the current developments clearly show that the Brandenburg citizens have to set up changes in order to get the lack of water under control. It seems urgent time to prove a good hand in water management.