Lower groundwater levels in Saxony - management concept

Saxony is worried about its future water supply. Environment Minister Georg-Ludwig von Breitenbuch (CDU) reported falling groundwater levels after the cabinet meeting in Dresden. According to the report, the value at 80 percent of the measuring points is on average 43 percent below the typical monthly values. In June 2024, it was only 21 centimetres at 41 percent of the measuring points.

Dams release water to stabilize watercourses

A spring drought has given Saxony 40 per cent less rain than usual, said von Breitenbuch. In the river basins, the water levels and flow rates were similarly low as in 2018 and 2020. The dams had increased the release of water to stabilize the watercourses. "The situation is not alarming, but we would like to give a warning sign here."

Cabinet wants to develop a management concept for low water

The cabinet had previously dealt with the risks of falling water levels and now wants to develop a management concept for drought and low water. The trees are full of green, but there is a deficit underground, said the minister. In the future, there will be a "forecast decrease in water supply with simultaneously increasing demands from agriculture, industry and the population". We need to prepare for conflicts of use.

According to von Breitenbuch, the information on groundwater corresponds with a study presented on Monday by the German Association for the Environment and Nature Conservation. According to the study, the cities of Dresden and Leipzig and the district of Görlitz in particular have a major groundwater problem. "Our groundwater reserves are being systematically overused - although the EU Water Framework Directive has obliged us for years to ensure the good status of groundwater," explained Felix Ekardt, head of BUND in Saxony.

An appeal for economical water consumption

"Let's think about economical and targeted water consumption, especially in the coming weeks and months. Be it in everyone's home or in the discussion about how funds from the special fund can be used wisely. Without water, everything is nothing - so it should be worth it to us," concluded the Minister.

According to the Ministry of the Environment, Saxony obtains 40 percent of its water requirements from reservoirs and the rest from streams and wells.