Czech Republic faces water security challenges amid extreme drought

The Czech Republic is facing significant challenges to its water security due to prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, and changing precipitation patterns. Experts, including Miroslav Trnka from CzechGlobe, emphasize that current infrastructure may not suffice for future climate projections, necessitating both the construction of new valley reservoirs and nature-based landscape retention measures.

In South Bohemia, the Husinec reservoir has reached historically low levels, with its storage capacity dropping to approximately 13 percent in September. While water authorities note that current management protocols can still ensure drinking water supplies—primarily through the Římov system—the situation remains critical.

To address these long-term shifts, major modernization efforts are underway. Prague is planning upgrades to its water treatment facilities, including the Želivka, Káraný, and Podolí sources, to meet new EU standards for removing micropollutants and achieving energy neutrality. Additionally, ČEZ has invested over 5 billion CZK to modernize hydroelectric plants to improve efficiency during low river levels.