Because of the heat, many countries in Europe have to limit their water consumption. Image: keystone
Extreme weather
The high temperatures are now also causing restrictions on water consumption in supposedly evergreen Ireland. Similar measures already exist in Bavaria, France, Italy and Switzerland.
July 16, 2026, 04:27July 16, 2026, 04:27
A six-week “Water Conservation Order” – colloquially known as a “garden hose ban” – has been in effect in Dublin and parts of eastern Ireland since last night. Similar measures already exist in Bavaria, France, Italy and Switzerland.
The situation is also getting worse in Germany: According to the German Association of Cities, around 80 municipalities now have to issue so-called general orders every hot summer. They restrict the use of drinking or groundwater or temporarily prohibit extraction from rivers and lakes.
The Irish state water supplier Uisce Éireann cites dwindling supplies in rivers and reservoirs as the reason. Nationwide, private water consumption is around 20 percent above the usual level. In the greater Dublin area, up to 693 million liters were recently consumed every day – around 50 million more than average. There is no significant rain in sight for the time being.
It is forbidden, among other things, to water gardens, wash cars or fill larger swimming pools with a garden hose. Ornamental ponds and fountains may also not be supplied with tap water; Fish ponds are excluded. Violations can be punished.
Associations are calling for more conscious use of water
In Germany, the German Association of Cities is calling for a rethink. “In Germany, water used to be viewed by many as an unlimited resource. That is no longer the case,” said managing director Christian Schuchardt to the newspapers of the Funke media group. The water supply remains secure. However, the federal and state governments should ensure uniform withdrawal fees. This is expressly not about private households, but about commercial water extraction. The fees for trade, industry and agriculture should provide an incentive to save.
The Greens are also calling for more responsibility from companies in view of the situation. Parliamentary group leader Britta Hasselmann told the Funke newspapers: “Companies that pump out a lot also have to take responsibility.” The rules for water extraction should be standardized nationwide. “Drinking water for people must always be a priority. It’s not a commodity like any other.”
The German District Council defended municipal restrictions. “Heat and dry periods are increasing in many regions. In such situations, private comfort consumption, such as filling pools, must also be critically examined,” said President Achim Brötel to the Funke newspapers. But first we rely on “people’s insight and responsible actions”.
Restrictions in the Munich area, France and Italy
In Germany, the city of Munich recently imposed far-reaching restrictions. Private pools are no longer allowed to be filled, and watering lawns and pumping out water from lakes and rivers are also prohibited. Violations can result in fines of up to 50,000 euros. Mayor Dominik Krause (Greens) justified the move by saying that “after an exceptionally dry winter and spring,” the resources of Munich’s water supply are “currently extremely strained.”
After the third heat wave, France is largely affected by drought. There are restrictions not only in the south, but also in the Moselle department near the border, where the prefect imposed restrictions until the end of August. In Italy, in regions such as Tuscany and Lazio, it is forbidden to use tap water for private gardens, pools or for hosing down yards and cars.
The thing with the house numbers
In Switzerland, the municipality of Coldrerio in the canton of Ticino reported a critical situation and signs of a new water crisis. The neighboring country got creative in dealing with this: residents with even house numbers are only allowed to water flowerbeds on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while those with odd numbers are allowed to water them on three other days. Potted plants and small home gardens are excluded. In the Emmental in the canton of Bern, the Fankhusbach riverbed has dried up. (sda/dpa)