Leipzig district takes action: water withdrawal restricted!

Leipzig district takes action: water withdrawal restricted!

In the Leipzig district, a general order will come into force on July 11, 2025, which was issued to restrict water withdrawals. This is happening against the background of worrying low-water developments in the region's rivers. The main aim of this measure is to stabilize the water balance and avoid ecological damage in order to ensure long-term security of supply, as l-iz.de reports.

The regulations include a ban on technical water extraction from surface waters, including rivers, streams and lakes. In addition, the extraction of groundwater for irrigation of public and private green spaces and sports facilities is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. These measures apply until September 30, 2025 and can be revoked if necessary. The authorities are responsible for monitoring compliance with these bans, with violations threatening fines of up to 50,000 euros.

Background and effects

The reason for this general order is due to the current low water levels in Saxony. At the end of June, over 83% of the measuring points in the state recorded values ​​below the average groundwater level of 42 cm. This results from persistently low water flows in combination with high temperatures, which endanger the oxygen supply in the waters and contribute to algae growth, according to the analysis by the Federal Environment Agency.

Low flow events result from dry periods that occur before current conditions. When groundwater supplies are exhausted and hardly any water flows from lakes, the water level in the rivers drops significantly. This situation not only has ecological but also economic consequences. The issue of low water levels tends to receive less media coverage than flood events, even though the financial damage caused by low water levels can run into the billions.

Sustainable measures

An increasing pollution of groundwater, particularly due to inefficient irrigation during the hot times of the day, can also be observed. Under these circumstances, drawing water with hand-held vessels such as watering cans remains permitted as long as the water is not disturbed. This decision aims to find a balance between the needs of the population and the protection of natural water resources.

This general decree is an important step towards protecting water resources in the Leipzig district. The authority has ordered the immediate implementation of this measure in order to meet the ecological challenges in a timely manner and minimize future damage.