Concerns are rising over potential water shortages in several regions of Germany, as highlighted by André Berghegger, Managing Director of the German Association of Cities and Municipalities. Recent summers have demonstrated an increasing frequency of prolonged drought periods, leading to localized scarcity.
Berghegger emphasized the necessity of responsible and mindful water consumption, suggesting measures such as foregoing lawn watering and filling private pools to potentially avoid temporary usage restrictions currently in place in numerous districts. He acknowledged that water authorities possess the authority to enforce such restrictions if necessary.
Achim Brötel, President of the German District Council, underlined a conditional approach to restrictions, stating that their implementation should be dictated by the specific regional impact. He stressed the importance of local, municipal-level decision-making regarding access to groundwater resources.
Looking ahead, Berghegger advocated for further measures to secure long-term municipal water supplies. He proposed expanding local water reservoirs and developing modern, climate-neutral integrated networks with neighboring water providers. He also stated that potential conflicts of interest in water distribution should be resolved by prioritizing water usage, ensuring public water supply always takes precedence when resources are limited.
