Since weather forecasts indicate that the low-water situation is not expected to change in the near future, and since local rainfall will in some cases result in only a temporary increase in water discharge, the Ludwigsburg District Office has issued a general order. This order prohibits all water withdrawals from surface waters. This also applies to existing water withdrawal permits, which are temporarily revoked.
Exempt from this regulation are all hydroelectric power plants, heat pump systems, and other water-use facilities that return the extracted water to the water body after use. The water withdrawal ban does not apply to the Neckar federal waterway, including its power plant canals, as these waterways have a larger catchment area and thus a greater volume of water. The Gründelbach also has sufficient water starting from the Eglosheim wastewater treatment plant, so it is exempt from the ban until it flows into the Altneckar. The Mühlbach Reservoir has an adequate supply of groundwater and is therefore also exempt from the ban. Local regulations apply to Heiligenberg Lake and Hohenhaslach Lake.
District Administrator Urges Compliance with Water Withdrawal Ban to Protect Water Bodies
The volume of water in surface water bodies is currently very low. This has a negative impact on water temperatures and oxygen levels, and thus also on the water bodies’ self-purification capacity. Even sections of water bodies that appear to still have higher water levels are at risk. This situation poses a threat to many animals and plants that depend on aquatic habitats. Withdrawing water from these bodies of water intensifies and accelerates this process.
The ban is intended to help prevent the water situation from deteriorating further, if possible, and to ensure that a minimum water flow is maintained to preserve the ecological functions of the water bodies. District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier appeals to everyone’s common sense to comply with the withdrawal ban to protect the water bodies. Violations of the general ruling may be punishable by fines.
The general order can be viewed on the Ludwigsburg District Office website under the “Official Announcements” section.
Further information is available on the website of the Baden-Württemberg Low Water Information Center (https://niz.baden-wuerttemberg.de).
