In Switzerland, due to water shortages, filling pools and watering lawns are prohibited
Due to prolonged heat and drought, Switzerland is introducing restrictions on water use. Water levels in rivers and lakes have significantly decreased, and in many places have reached historical lows. Meanwhile, groundwater reserves continue to diminish, writes the publication Blick.
According to MétéoSuisse, the highest level of drought-related danger has been recorded throughout the country. The problem is exacerbated by a long period with almost no precipitation.
Many regions already have water-saving measures in place. In southern Switzerland, local authorities have banned filling swimming pools, watering lawns, and washing cars. Since mid-June, it has also been forbidden to take water from most small streams, which creates additional difficulties for agriculture.
In some areas, meadows and pastures have already dried up. On the shores of Lake Zurich, due to falling water levels, rocks that are usually submerged have become exposed. Some shipping companies have been forced to suspend certain routes, and swimming competitions have been cancelled.
In Alpchswendi, near Mount Pilatus, the local spring has stopped providing enough water. Therefore, drinking water has to be transported up the mountains by tractors in special tankers.
Restrictions have also been introduced in the Basel-Landschaft region. For example, residents of Langenbruck are prohibited from watering lawns and hedges, filling pools and other containers, and washing cars.
In the Rhine Valley in the canton of Graubünden, residents are also urged to conserve water. In the municipalities of Jenins and Malans, it is forbidden in August to use water from fire hydrants for private needs, including for watering, filling swimming pools, and washing cars.
The drought is already negatively affecting nature. In the Doubs River, some sections of the riverbed are drying up, fish are dying, forests are suffering, and farmers are forced to use winter feed reserves.
Problems with low water levels are also arising in other European countries. For example, in Hungary, a special barrier is being erected on the Danube to raise the water level near the country's only nuclear power plant and ensure its cooling. In Romania, water shortages have already led to the shutdown of the Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant.
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