Brandenburg imposes water-use bans amid severe drought

Facing a sharp drop in groundwater and reduced flow in the Havel River, the city of Brandenburg an der Havel has forbidden the extraction of water from rivers, lakes, ponds and ditches for private use until 31 August 2026. Private garden owners may only irrigate between 18:00 and 08:00, and all pool‑filling is banned. Violations can attract fines of up to €50,000. Similar restrictions are in place in nearby Munich and Potsdam. Mayor Michael Müller highlighted the falling water levels as a visual proof of the climate‑driven water shortage affecting the region.

The measures are part of a broader effort to ration water through the summer as temperatures approach 40 °C and groundwater tables continue to decline.