Water shortage hits Germany: Strict bans threaten gardens!

Water shortage hits Germany: Strict bans threaten gardens!

Water shortages have long since become a serious issue in Germany. Several districts have already taken drastic measures and banned the withdrawal of water from rivers and bodies of water. The ongoing drought not only makes water supplies more difficult, but also endangers local agriculture and biodiversity in the wetlands.

How T Online Reportedly, districts such as Hersfeld-Rotenburg and Northern Saxony have issued strict bans. Withdrawal of water from all surface bodies of water is prohibited here until September 30, 2025 and in other regions even completely prohibited. Anyone who violates these regulations must expect high penalties - which can be up to 50,000 euros, depending on the severity of the offense. Garden irrigation is also affected; the exact regulations vary greatly from district to district.

Falling groundwater levels

The causes of this water shortage are complex. In addition to the current climate change, intensive water withdrawals in agriculture and industry also contribute to the dramatic situation. A current study by BUND shows that 201 of 401 districts are affected by groundwater stress, which means that more than 20 percent of newly formed groundwater is withdrawn every year. This not only impacts the drinking water supply, but also the vegetation and soils. Bund.net emphasizes that regions in eastern Germany as well as parts of Hesse and Lower Saxony are particularly affected.

The pressure on natural water reservoirs is constantly increasing. In recent years, groundwater levels have fallen significantly in 94 districts, endangering agricultural harvests. These declining levels are a sign not only of natural phenomena, but also of human influence through excessive water consumption and agricultural irrigation. ZDF reports that even drinking water has to be transported hundreds of kilometers in some regions.

Need for action

The threat of water shortages requires urgent action. The BUND is calling on the federal government to regulate groundwater extraction more strictly and to promote water-saving technologies in agriculture. Not to mention a fair price for water, which is still not charged in many places, leading to unaccountable groundwater extraction. In addition, it is necessary to raise awareness among the population about using water sparingly so that the valuable resource is not pushed further to its limits.

Conclusion: It is high time for garden owners to rethink. The recommendation is to choose plants that can cope particularly well with drought and heat. This is the only way to mitigate the loss of biodiversity and the threat to one's own gardens in times of extreme weather conditions - after all, water scarcity affects us all.