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Dresden under water withdrawal ban: heat and drought strike!
From July 1, 2023, a water withdrawal ban will apply in Dresden due to persistent drought. Information about exceptions and penalties.
Dresden under water withdrawal ban: heat and drought strike!
From Tuesday, July 1, 2023, carefree water extraction will be over in Dresden. The city has imposed a comprehensive ban on water abstraction, which comes into force due to the ongoing drought. On hot summer days like these, pumping from rivers, lakes and streams is prohibited throughout the city. Even scooping with hand vessels will no longer be allowed. The city administration, represented by René Herold, head of the environmental office, emphasized the urgency of this measure in a press release. He points to the combination of a lack of precipitation and high evaporation, which leads to the almost complete drying out of many bodies of water.
Compliance with the ban is not only sensible, but also necessary. Anyone who violates this will face a fine. The city has decided that the water withdrawal ban will apply until October 31, 2023. Fortunately, groundwater levels are currently still within the normal range of fluctuation, which is why it is not necessary to restrict groundwater use. However, lower groundwater levels, as observed in 2019 and 2020, are currently not evident.
A view of the waters
The current situation is alarming: many bodies of water in Dresden have already shrunk significantly or have almost dried up. The Environment Agency has observed that drought is a serious problem. There is no improvement in the weather in sight in the coming weeks, which doesn't make the situation any easier. It is therefore crucial for Dresden residents to use water resources carefully and avoid unnecessary withdrawals in order to conserve remaining water sources.
Viewed in a larger context, such developments are not just a local problem. According to a project by Federal Environment Agency The effects of climate change on water availability in Germany are already being researched. The aim is to analyze the water supply and the soil water balance and to develop solutions to avoid usage conflicts. Because this problem affects us all and will become even more important in the coming years due to climate change.
In the face of these challenges, it is important to use our water resources responsibly. Even if the ban is initially subject to strict rules, it is necessary to preserve the quality of life and nature in Dresden. Especially in a summer that once again shows how fragile our water balance has become.