Eschwege/Kassel. Due to persistent drought, the first regions in Hesse have restricted water from rivers, lakes and streams. Other circles check similar steps or call for restraint. The Werra-Meißner-Kreis, for example, now prohibits water withdrawal from surface waters. The water ranks of the waters there dropped to critical values due to the long -lasting dry weather, the circle said. Against this background, the Lower Water Authority of the Werra-Meißner-Kreis issued an immediate ban on water withdrawals for streams, rivers and lakes. The ban applies to community, resident and owner use. “This means that drawing, in addition to pumping, from water from these above -ground waters is no longer allowed for common use,” emphasized the authority. In the event of violations, a fine of up to 100,000 euros threatens. The Werra, as a first order waters, remained excluded from the ban until further notice. In addition to the district of Gießen, the district of Gießen had already issued a corresponding general order, as the only one in the Middle Hesse region, as the Gießen regional council announced. The aim of the restriction is to protect the natural balance and prevent additional reduction in the already low water levels, the district explained. The regional council (RP) Kassel called for restricting water withdrawals from waters. Due to the continuing drought, the water levels on the North and East Hessian waters have sunk into the low water area, the authority said. “Water withdrawals from streams and rivers are therefore no longer possible or only limited and need special sensitivity,” it said. “The water authorities of the counties and the independent city in the area of responsibility of the RP Kassel will continue to observe the levels and are expected to issue concrete bans on a water -related manner,” said the RP. Corresponding concrete restrictions would currently be prepared by individual lower water authorities in northern and eastern Hesse. The Darmstadt regional council declared that it was ultimately responsible for the circles or independent cities as lower water authorities to decide on possible removal bans. “With us, the local lower water authorities are also currently examining and evaluating the situation,” said a spokesman. According to information from the Hessian State Office for Nature Conservation, Environment and Geology (HLNUG), the drainage on the levels in Hesse, also compared to the past 30 years, are currently significantly below average. “If there are flat and persistent (productive) precipitation, the situation on the surface waters can quickly present itself differently,” said the authority.
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