Munich has imposed immediate restrictions on water use across the city, banning the filling of private pools, watering of lawns, and drawing water from lakes and rivers under a general decree that remains in force until 1 August 2026. Violators face fines of up to €50,000.
The measures follow a sharp spike in demand: daily water consumption recently exceeded 360 million litres, well above the usual 300 million litres. Authorities attributed the surge to persistent heat and an unusually dry winter and spring that have strained local water resources.
Mayor Dominik Krause has tasked the city's climate and environmental protection department and Stadtwerke München with developing a long-term water strategy, while ordering binding conservation measures across the entire supply network.