Central European drought and water resource impacts

Drought conditions in Slovakia and Slovenia have led to significant concerns regarding water resources and infrastructure stability.

In Košice, Slovakia, residents reported changes in tap water quality, including a “chlorine-like smell and white residue.” The water utility company, Východoslovenská vodárenská spoločnosť, attributed these changes to prolonged drought and unfavorable hydrological conditions, necessitating a shift from surface water to underground water sources for certain districts. While the Slovak government has established a National Commission for Water and Drought and provided compensation for farmers, environmental groups are calling for long-term systemic measures to retain water within the landscape.

In Slovenia, the drought has threatened the nation’s groundwater, which provides over 95 percent of its drinking water. Experts warn that the impact on aquifers may be delayed compared to surface water. Furthermore, the lack of rainfall has caused soil shrinkage, particularly in clay-heavy areas, leading to foundation settlement and structural damage such as cracks in walls, floors, and reinforced concrete slabs.