Abnormal heat forces German cities to conserve water

More than 100 cities and districts across Germany have introduced water-use restrictions amid an unprecedented heatwave and prolonged drought.

According to Report, citing Bild, the water shortage has been caused by low precipitation during the winter and spring, falling river levels, and several waves of extreme heat.

In Munich, residents have been banned from filling garden swimming pools, watering lawns, and washing cars. In Hanover, watering gardens is prohibited when air temperatures exceed 27°C, while in Potsdam irrigation of the state's historic palace gardens has been suspended.

In most of the 109 cities and districts where restrictions have already been introduced, the measures primarily affect agriculture. In particular, the withdrawal of water from rivers and lakes for field irrigation has been prohibited.

According to Jörg Drewes, a professor at the Technical University of Munich, Germany needs to expand the reuse of treated wastewater and invest more heavily in water supply infrastructure. He warned that the country could face localized water shortages, although there is no risk of completely running out of water.