Historical drought: How communities are responding

Historical drought has forced communities across Germany and Austria to implement strict water conservation measures. In Munich, Mayor Dominik Krause announced that the city’s water supply resources are under extreme strain due to an unusually dry winter and spring. As a result, he has ordered mandatory water-saving measures to allow reservoir levels to recover. These include prohibitions on filling pools, restrictions on watering gardens between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., and bans on washing cars. The measures were issued via a general order effective for two weeks. The situation is equally dire in parts of Austria, where some municipalities have already imposed similar restrictions. The first half of 2026 was one of the driest on record, with rainfall in certain regions dropping by up to 50 percent compared to long-term averages. Since 140 years, the Vienna Basin and parts of Salzburg, Lower Austria, and Upper Austria have not experienced such severe dryness. According to the World Wildlife Fund, river levels in June were below normal at 85 percent of monitoring sites, with 40 percent registering very low levels. Günter Blöschl, head of the Institute for Water Engineering and Engineer Hydrology at TU Wien, described the situation as being on the edge of an exceptional state, calling the year “very unusual.” Groundwater levels across much of the country are also critically low, prompting several Austrian communities to take emergency action. In Gaishorn am See, Styria, water supply is suspended during nighttime hours, between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., to refill storage tanks. Residents are urged to reduce their water consumption to the absolute minimum necessary, using tap water only for essential purposes. Activities such as lawn sprinkling, flower watering, and car washing are discouraged. Similarly, Stall im Mölltal, Carinthia, is struggling with its water supply and has asked residents not to fill private swimming pools or water gardens. In Millstatt am See, Carinthia, residents are advised against using drinking water for car or terrace cleaning. Garden watering is also discouraged, with the community emphasizing that each saved liter helps. In Hofkirchen im Mühlkreis, Upper Austria, water conservation efforts are critical because the town receives 30 percent of its supply from neighboring communities. Pool owners are required to notify local authorities before refilling their pools and coordinate with municipal offices. Pöggstall, Lower Austria, warned residents against turning off the tap supply overnight unless they had reduced their usage significantly. This warning led to a noticeable drop in consumption. St. Veit an der Gölsen, Lower Austria, plans to better coordinate pool fills to prevent overloading the distribution network. In Griffen, Carinthia, a regulation was in effect since May banning the filling of pools, with fines up to 2,180 euros for violations. Meteorological models suggest that sustained rain would be needed to offset the lack of precipitation, but such conditions are unlikely in the coming weeks. In Vienna, warnings were issued at the end of June regarding the potential impact of continued dry weather on the water supply. With both countries facing unprecedented drought conditions, officials continue to monitor the situation closely, urging residents to adhere to conservation guidelines to ensure sustainable water management.