Bans and fines of up to 50,000 euros
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Munich imposes water bans: washing cars, watering and filling pools are now prohibited. Anyone who does not comply with this must expect high penalties.
Munich – The lawn remains brown, the car is dirty, the pool is empty: Munich is struggling with a serious water crisis – and the city is now taking tough action. With a general order that has been in effect since Tuesday (July 14), the state capital has issued clear bans. Anyone who fails to comply risks a fine of up to 50,000 euros.
Just a few days ago, Mayor Dominik Krause (Greens) asked the people of Munich to voluntarily use less water. Vain. “Water consumption has increased significantly again in the last few days,” says Krause. “We have an exceptional situation that has not been seen since the early 1970s. Water consumption in the city urgently needs to be reduced.”
Water shortages are forcing Munich to take drastic measures – which are now forbidden
Most recently, daily consumption was over 360 million liters Munich Mercury reported by Ippen.Media. The normal value is around 300 million liters. After an exceptionally dry winter and spring, groundwater levels are at critical lows. According to the city, the thunderstorms announced for the coming days will not change anything significantly.
The Climate and Environmental Protection Department and the district administration department responded together. The bans are far-reaching:
- Car washing outside of commercial car washes is prohibited – exception: emergency vehicles.
- Watering gardens between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. is prohibited. If you use drip irrigation, you can continue watering.
- Water lawns is completely prohibited – sports fields are excluded.
- Private pools, fountains and wading pools must not be filled.
- Hose down patios and courtyard entrances – even with a high-pressure cleaner – is not permitted.
- Water from lakes, rivers or ditches Pumping is completely prohibited.
Munich: Water bans apply until August 1st – with a possible extension
The order is initially valid until August 1, 2026. If the drought continues, it can be extended. Krause urgently appeals to the population: “I ask all Munich residents to adhere to the rules so that the groundwater levels recover. Water is our most precious food, let us use it carefully.”
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At the same time, he commissioned the Munich municipal utilities and the climate department to develop a long-term water strategy – to ensure the city’s supply even during future heat periods and droughts. The Munich public utilities also recommend: showering instead of bathing, turning off the tap when brushing your teeth and only watering the garden with rainwater in the evenings. Krause also emphasized on the city of Munich’s website: “Nobody has to worry: the drinking water supply in Munich is currently secure.” Water recently also became scarce in North Rhine-Westphalia, but here drinking water was affected.