Munich Implements Mandatory Water Saving Measures Amidst Rising Consumption
Munich, July 14, 2026 – The City of Munich has today issued a general decree regulating the use of drinking water, the extraction of groundwater, and the extraction from surface waters. This decision comes as water consumption in the Bavarian capital has once again risen sharply, prompting the need for mandatory conservation efforts.
The city’s water consumption recently exceeded 360 million liters per day, significantly higher than the average of 300 million liters. Despite forecasts of thunderstorms and rain in the coming days, these precipitations are not expected to be sufficient to alleviate the strained water situation.
Comprehensive Restrictions on Water Use
The new decree prohibits several activities, including:
- Washing vehicles outside of commercial car washes.
- Watering lawns and other green areas not used for commercial or public purposes.
- Pumping water from lakes, rivers, and ditches for prohibited uses.
- Filling and operating private pools, fountains, water play facilities, and similar installations.
- Watering house, allotment, or Schrebergärten between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM, unless using water-saving drip irrigation.
- Wetting construction roads and sites to reduce dust, unless officially mandated.
- Spraying or watering terraces, walls, streets, courtyards, paths, roofs, and non-commercially used technical systems by private individuals.
Exemptions from these restrictions include the watering of agricultural and forestry areas, cemeteries, and sports fields. Additionally, the extraction of water from surface waters for general use (e.g., scooping with hand vessels), watering livestock, and agricultural needs, as well as extractions where the water is fully returned to the body of water (e.g., thermal uses), are permitted.
Mayor Calls for Public Cooperation
Mayor Dominik Krause emphasized the urgency of the situation. “Water consumption has risen sharply again in recent days. After an exceptionally dry winter and spring, Munich’s water supply resources are currently extremely strained. I have therefore decided, in consultation with SWM and RKU, to take further, mandatory saving measures. I ask all Munich residents to adhere to the rules so that groundwater levels can recover. Water is our most precious commodity; let us handle it with care.”
The Mayor has also commissioned the Department for Climate and Environmental Protection (RKU) and the Munich City Utilities (SWM) to develop a comprehensive water strategy. This strategy aims to ensure the long-term water supply for the city of Munich, considering changing climatic conditions such as prolonged droughts and heatwaves.
SWM Extends Measures Beyond City Limits
Dr. Florian Bieberbach, Chairman of the SWM Management Board, announced that SWM would issue a supplementary water-saving order. This order extends the regulations beyond the city limits to include the entire water supply network, encompassing serviced surrounding communities and districts. “We thank everyone for already reducing their water use and ask the public and companies to continue: Avoid unnecessary water consumption entirely and reduce your overall water use so that we can all get through this tense situation well,” said Dr. Bieberbach.
Enforcement and Penalties
The general decree, issued by the Lower Water Authority of the City of Munich, is effective immediately and will remain in force until August 1, 2026, unless revoked earlier. An extension of this period is possible if drought conditions persist.
The City of Munich warns that violations of these regulations can result in fines of up to 50,000 euros, in accordance with the German Water Resources Act.
Source: City of Munich, SWM, RKU
