Munich Limits Water Use Due to Severe Drought

Munich, Germany/UNSPLASH/Anastasiya Dalenka

Munich, Germany. imposed strict restrictions on the use of water because daily consumption was recorded as soaring far above normal during the prolonged dry season.

The mayor of Munich, Dominik Krause, also urged local residents to immediately stop using water "unnecessarily".

"Water consumption has increased significantly again in recent days," said Krause, quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Wednesday, July 15.

The state of emergency in the Bavarian capital was immediately imposed until August 1, with a possible extension if the drought conditions continue.

"After a very dry winter and spring, Munich's water supply resources are currently under very heavy pressure. Therefore, I have decided, in coordination with the Stadtwerke Munchendan and the city's climate and environmental services, to take further mandatory savings measures," said Krause.

A number of local city officials said that water demand has recently jumped to more than 360 million liters per day, compared to an average demand of around 300 million liters.

The weather forecast of lightning and rain in the next few days will not be enough to ease the situation, said the city government.

Based on these restrictions, residents are prohibited from filling or operating private swimming pools. The ban also includes private fountains, water play facilities, and other similar private facilities.

Watering lawns and other green areas is also prohibited for personal and non-commercial purposes, except for sports fields.

The Munich City Government also prohibits watering home gardens and agricultural land between 09.00 and 19.00, unless for commercial or public purposes. Authorities provide an exemption for water-saving drip irrigation systems.

Washing cars in addition to commercial car washing facilities is also prohibited, except for public safety, such as cleaning emergency vehicles.

Residents are also prohibited from spraying water on the porch, walls, roads, and sidewalks, including using high-pressure cleaning tools.

Watering construction roads and construction sites to reduce dust is also not allowed, unless required by the authorities.

Violations of the restriction regulations can be fined up to 50,000 euros (about Rp1 billion).