Water withdrawal is now prohibited in Weimar: the drought is so dangerous!

Water withdrawal is now prohibited in Weimar: the drought is so dangerous!

The ongoing drought is causing worrying water levels in Thuringia, especially in Weimar. How thueringen24.de reported that the water levels of the Ilm and other bodies of water have fallen dramatically. This is the result of rainfall that has been well below the long-term average in recent months. The past months of April, May and June 2025 have brought historically low amounts of rain, leading to a temporary ban on water abstraction from urban water bodies in the region.

Since July 4, 2025, water withdrawals are no longer permitted in Weimar, with the exception of hand-held vessels for livestock drinking. This ban runs until October 31, 2025 and is intended to protect the ecological status of water bodies and prevent irreversible damage to local ecosystems. In addition, violations of the ban can be punished with fines. The city administration asks the population for their understanding of these measures, which were adopted in coordination with the Lower Water Authority of the Weimarer Land district.

Water shortages in many regions

The situation in Thuringia is extremely tense because the rivers only carry little water. Loud n-tv.de Similar bans have been imposed in numerous other municipalities, such as the Saalfeld-Rudolstadt district and Hildburghausen. As drought progresses, there is a risk that basic ecological functions in small rivers will no longer be guaranteed.

The situation is so serious that, according to the Thuringian State Office for the Environment, Mining and Nature Conservation (TLUBN), there is severe low water in almost all of Thuringia. The groundwater levels are extremely low at every third measuring point, and water availability is worrying in many regions. This is also reflected in the fact that the situation in Altenburger Land is somewhat more relaxed.

Climate change and water management in focus

Climate change contributes significantly to more frequent dry periods and a stressful water balance. How environment.thueringen.de clarifies, the water industry urgently needs to take new approaches to water management. A newly introduced low water portal plays an important role here, which has been providing information about water levels, rainfall and soil moisture since World Water Day 2021. The aim is to make the use and protection of water more effective.

Thuringia has already presented a comprehensive low water strategy in 2022, which should also take future challenges into account. This includes measures to improve forecast conditions and action plans for drought phases to ensure water supplies even in times of drought. As part of this strategy, natural flowing waters should also be given priority in order to increase their resilience to climate change.

The current drought and the associated ban on water extraction are urgent warning signals that show us how important it is to use our water resources sustainably. Those responsible in Thuringia are faced with the challenge of both preserving the environment and taking the needs of the population into account.