Gardens in need: Watering bans endanger plants in Jerichower Land!

Gardens in need: Watering bans endanger plants in Jerichower Land!

In spring 2025, Germany has experienced the slightest precipitation since the weather records began. This concern of exciting situation has led to the fact that irrigation bans have already been issued in some counties. So also in the Jerichower Land district in Saxony-Anhalt, where this step became essential. The ban on watering plants between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. with drinking water is particularly hard. Doreen Methner, a 37-year-old from the allotment garden system Burg, faces a big challenge because she does not have a rainwater bin and fears the survival of her plants, while other garden owners are in a similar location.

The ban on irrigation is a preventive measure in times of drought, but it also shows the serious consequences of climate change. According to the general manager of the German Association of Cities and Municipalities, Berghegger should only be used as the last means. The heat waves and the lack of precipitation are a clear sign that the weather conditions change. Berghegger calls on the municipalities to inform their citizens about possible restrictions in the water supply in good time. All of this comes to a moment when the water withdrawals from rivers, lakes and fountains are already restricted in several regions of Saxony-Anhalt.

irrigation in the allotment garden system

The situation in the allotment garden Burg reflects these arguments. With a 600-liter ton, Karina and Maik Munkwitz, for example, are provided for the rainwater collection. Access to water is regulated for the tenants via the water system of the system: Each leasehold receives three hectoliters of water free of charge, after which access costs 50 cents per hectoliter. However, the water is only suitable for plants, as it is too iron for human consumption. Sebastian skull, worrying about his cucumber, strictly adheres to the ban on irrigation. The pressure on the hobby gardeners is growing, and the concern for the green protégés requires creativity and commitment.

The challenges of climate change

The year 2018 already brought a similar stress test for the water supply in Germany. At that time, long dry periods and high temperatures led to a significantly increased water requirement. The infrastructure put record values in daily water consumption. Expert: Inside of the [DVGW] (https://www.dvgw.de/themen/wasser/resourcenmanagement-und-gewaesserschutz/klimawaWeLel- und-water supply) have since recognized the need for action in order to ensure drinking water supply. The discussion about the priority of drinking water supply compared to other uses is becoming increasingly necessary, especially in view of future extreme dry phases that are considered a realistic scenario.

The current developments illustrate how important it is to prepare for water supply in times of climate change. In Germany, water suppliers have to critically check their systems and ensure that they can fall back on sufficient reserves even in extreme weather events. Even if it is difficult, as a society, we have to improve the cooperation between water suppliers, municipalities and disaster protection in order to be able to cope with the challenges that climate change brings with it.