Water in short supply: It's getting scarce in Franconia - counties are reacting with bans

Created: 03/08/2022 04:49

By: Felix Herz

Hardly any rain and low groundwater: In Franconia, water is currently scarce - many districts are now taking action.

Forchheim - One heat wave follows the next and meteorologists are desperately calling for rain: The summer of 2022 is a heavy burden for people and nature. But the situation is not the same everywhere: While it looks relatively good near the Alps and in the Bavarian Forest, it is above all persistent drought in Franconia.

The city of Nuremberg therefore waters the trees with swimming pool water.

Several districts are even reacting to this with rules, they regulate, among other things, who can use how much and which water for watering.

Franconia: Due to drought - limited water consumption

Basically it's like this: People are allowed to skim small amounts of water from streams, here the "common use" applies, for example with watering cans and bottles.

A permit is required for larger quantities.

However, the authorities can also prohibit public use if persistent drought and low water levels endanger the habitat in and around the water.

Such a ban has been in effect since mid-July in the Forchheim, Lichtenfels and Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen districts.

It is also possible to prohibit watering with drinking water from the tap - "in justified individual cases," says Juliane Thimet, an expert on water law at the Bavarian Municipality Day of the dpa news agency.

The decision is up to the water suppliers – mostly the communities or municipalities – on site.

Then it is forbidden, for example, to fill the pool with tap water, water the garden or wash the car.

Such a ban applied, for example, in Forchheim in 2015.

All news and stories from Bavaria can now also be found on our brand new Facebook page Merkur Bayern.

Water shortage: More drastic measures and possible penalties

However, mandatory shower breaks or a ban on using tap water for bathing in the bathtub are not legally possible in Bavaria.

Completely stopping the supply of drinking water is only possible in the event of an acute water shortage - for example, in the event of a major disruption to the supply network or because a source has dried up.

However, it is possible that counties and municipalities prohibit watering the garden with tap water or water from rivers, streams and lakes.

This happened a few days ago in the district of Esslingen.

In such a case, the only thing left is water from the supermarket to water the garden - an expensive alternative.

Violations of the ban on taking water from bodies of water can result in a fine of up to 50,000 euros.

Anyone who violates the drinking water restriction must expect penalties and fines.

In general, however, it is difficult to monitor and enforce such bans.

The main thing is not to waste water, says a spokeswoman for the Association of Bavarian Energy and Water Management of the dpa: "We don't need and don't want any water police."

also read

Lisa-Maria Kellermayr: The trail of the doctor threatened by vaccination opponents leads to Upper Bavaria

"Damned heat": Meteorologist desperate - weather in Bavaria before the next challenge

Serious situation?

That's the situation in Bavaria

However, private individuals do not have to worry about the water supply in Bavaria at the moment.

However, due to climate change, problematically hot and dry summers will be much more frequent in the future.

The top priority is therefore the topic "Water future Bavaria 2050" - under this title the state government is working on concepts for securing the water supply in the coming decades, in which the consequences of climate change will become more and more visible.

Water law expert Thimet expects the dispute over the distribution of groundwater to become more heated.

You have to prepare for the future, also for the fact that it will get worse.

Here she sees a similarity to the current situation around the gas supply: "Do we first need pressure and coercion before we react?"

(By the way: Our Bayern newsletter informs you about all the important stories from Bavaria. Register here.)