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Extreme heat in Germany: Water rationing affects millions!
Germany is struggling with extreme heat and water shortages on July 2, 2025. Politics, the environment and citizens face major challenges.
Extreme heat in Germany: Water rationing affects millions!
The hot summer sun is burning in Germany while Europe is battling extreme heat in early July 2025. The warnings from the German Weather Service (DWD) are particularly noticeable in Hesse and Frankfurt. “It’s time for something to finally be done,” says a concerned resident. The Greens and the Left are calling for a legal heat-free regime, while the CDU and CSU are aggressively holding back and sparking a debate about stricter measures.
IG Bau also has a concern: It is calling for a paid break of 15 minutes per hour for workers on construction sites in order to alleviate the extreme heat. But while the discussions are taking place in Berlin, the heat is already having a direct impact on the lives of citizens. The water must be used more efficiently.
Water shortages and rationing
A major issue is water scarcity. Strict water rationing already applies in several districts, including parts of Baden-Württemberg. Around 40 German districts have decided to regulate water withdrawal. In affected areas, citizens are only allowed to pump their water with permission. The situation is particularly drastic in the Hersfeld-Rotenburg district in Hesse, where the withdrawal of water from surface waters is prohibited.
The EU is currently discussing legally binding rules for water rationing. “We have to protect our water,” emphasizes EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall, addressing the increasing awareness of the problem of water consumption that is necessary in many European countries. Henk Ovink, Executive Director of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water, is concerned about the impact of water scarcity on people's health.
The drought and its far-reaching consequences
Little rainfall in April and May has led to a water shortage in many regions of Europe that extends far beyond agriculture. Let's look at the Rhine, for example: This important trade route has limited traffic, which is severely affecting the transport industry. In Cyprus and other parts of southern Europe, reservoirs are empty and crops are at risk. The drought here can have both agricultural and hydrological impacts.
Scientific studies show that drought conditions are increasing worldwide. Extreme drought situations are no longer just isolated cases, but have developed into a global problem that poses major challenges to nature and society. The effects are diverse - droughts can also lead to floods if long periods of drought are interrupted by heavy rainfall.
To address these challenges, it is essential for many European countries to develop clear strategies for water use and reuse. The Federal Environment Agency's project, which deals with the analysis of water availability in Germany, could play an important role here. As part of the “Effects of climate change on water availability” project, possible solutions are being developed to prevent possible usage conflicts.
So it remains to be said: The heat is not just a temporary phenomenon, but makes us think about the need for responsible water use and the challenges of climate change. Each of us is called upon to do our part - be it through more conscious water consumption when watering gardens or washing cars. It is up to us to protect resources and act sustainably.
fr.de reports on the current heat development and water rationing, dw.com addresses the drought problem in Europe and Umweltbundesamt.de offers insights into research on water availability.