Munich Faces Severe Water Shortage: Expert Warns of Worsening Drought
Munich, July 18 – Munich residents are facing urgent calls to conserve water as the city battles a persistent and intensifying drought. Measures enacted by the city include bans on filling private pools, watering lawns, and washing cars at home, with penalties for non-compliance. Diplom-Meteorologe Dominik Jung has provided a detailed assessment of the situation for the Abendzeitung, highlighting the severity of the crisis in Munich and the surrounding region.
“The situation is serious, not because of the last two weeks, but because of the last twelve months,” Jung explains, referencing current data. He notes that the Bavarian State Office for the Environment’s low water level report indicates a precipitation deficit of approximately 32 percent for the current hydrological year, which began on November 1, 2025. Traditionally, Southern Bavaria is known for its abundant rainfall and secure water supply, but this has drastically changed over the past year.
Significant Precipitation Deficit and Low Groundwater Levels
Since November 1, 2025, Southern Bavaria has received only about 463 liters of precipitation per square meter, which is merely 66 percent of the long-term average. A substantial majority of near-surface groundwater measuring points and springs (around 77 percent), along with nearly 74 percent of deeper water reserves, are at low to very low levels. “The SPI drought index for the last 90 days classifies parts of Upper Bavaria as extremely dry. We have now had four and a half consecutive months that have been too dry,” Jung states.
The combination of depleted reserves and a record water extraction of up to 400 million liters per day has triggered the current water shortage. In comparison, the long-term average daily consumption of drinking water in Munich is between 300 and 350 million liters.
Heatwave Exacerbates Long-Standing Problem
The roots of the depleted water reserves stretch back to last year. 2025 was the second driest year nationwide, with approximately 655 liters of precipitation, about 17 percent below average. Even the winter brought only 71 percent of the average precipitation. This was followed by an unusually warm and dry spring and a record-breaking heatwave in June.
“This chain of events has practically halted groundwater recharge. The July heatwave is therefore not the cause of the water scarcity, but merely the drop that makes the already almost empty barrel overflow,” Jung clarifies.
No End in Sight: Expert Delivers Grim Outlook
Is there an end to the drought in sight? Or should Munich residents prepare for the possibility that water-saving measures might be extended beyond August 1? Diplom-Meteorologe Dominik Jung delivers bad news: there is currently no relief in sight. “On the contrary. Nationwide, July has only met about 20 percent of its precipitation target by mid-month. What is coming now is thunderstorm rain – and that is almost worthless for the drought.”
On parched soils, heavy rainfall does not seep in but runs off the surface. “Soil that has been parched for months absorbs water as poorly as a dried-out flowerpot. What we would need is two days of gentle, steady rain with 40 to 60 liters – that is not in the models,” Jung emphasizes.
Next Heatwave and Long-Term Concerns
The weather forecasts for the coming weeks also offer no indication of improvement. Current predictions show signs of another heatwave towards the end of July. “This means that the drought is more likely to intensify than ease, despite intermittent thunderstorms. For groundwater, we are not talking about weeks, but about winters: replenishment only occurs during the hydrological winter half-year when vegetation consumes nothing,” Jung explains. The forecasts for August also predict warmer-than-average temperatures.
These current forecasts are initial trends, not daily predictions, and are subject to change as the time approaches.
Source: https://www.abendzeitung-muenchen.de/muenchen/wassermangel-in-muenchen-wetter-experte-hat-schlechte-neuigkeiten-art-1144772
