Potsdam imposes strictly water withdrawal ban - drought grabs!

Potsdam imposes strictly water withdrawal ban - drought grabs!

Potsdam, Deutschland - Today, on July 15, 2025, the city of Potsdam issued a strict ban on water from all lakes and rivers for irrigation purposes. This ban applies until October 10, 2025 and aims to protect the highly endangered water resources. Only the gardens of the Prussian Palaces and Gardens (SPSG) and public green spaces can be excluded from this ban, whereby the water withdrawal is only permitted between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.

The background of this decision is also alarming. While Brandenburg is one of the driest regions in Germany, current statistics from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) show that the first six months of 2023 have been the driest since the beginning of weather records more than 130 years ago. A water flow rate was registered on the levels of the Havel near Ketzin and the Nuthe near Babelsberg, which reaches the warning level-12 or 1.8 cubic meters per second. This situation endangers the ecological functionality of the water, underlines the city administration.

The effects of the drought are already noticeable. High temperatures, little precipitation and the associated low water levels endanger the flora and fauna in and around the water. This year, numerous Brandenburg regions are fighting with water problems and sunken groundwater levels. The district of Potsdam-Mittelmark has also issued a ban on water from rivers, lakes, channels and ponds in a general order to stabilize the sunken water levels. The watering of green areas is only allowed there after 8 p.m.

But the regulations do not stop at the limits of Potsdam. The water withdrawal is now also regulated in other parts of Brandenburg. More and more administrations are responding to the worrying drought and the associated ecological dangers. rbb24 reports, for example on private garden areas that are heated with a watering can, no restrictions, no restrictions, Which creates at least a small scope for hobby gardeners.

an outlook on the coming months

The situation remains tense. Agricultural companies are allowed to make exceptional applications, but for many private users these restrictions could become a challenge. The current drought shows that climate change is real and that society presents new challenges. Potential changes in the water balance and the nationalized monitoring of water withdrawal will become more important than ever in the coming months. It remains to be seen how the weather situation will develop and what other measures will be necessary to protect the water resources in Brandenburg.