Notes on drawing water from bodies of water

Due to the lack of rainfall in recent weeks, some streams in Jena's urban area are currently carrying very little water. Increased water abstraction for watering private gardens due to the drought is further exacerbating this situation. In places, some watercourses are threatening to dry up. This can have a lasting negative impact on fish, other aquatic organisms and the adjacent riparian vegetation.

Removal only with permission

The lower water authority therefore draws attention to the existing legal situation:

The extraction ofwater using pumps without a permit under water law is illegal.The same applies if garden ponds, water reservoirs etc.arefilled by artificially created drains.

Unauthorized water extraction constitutes an administrative offence and can be punished with a fine of up to €50,000. The lower water authority will carry out more inspections of surface waters in the city of Jena.

The required permit under water law can be applied for from the Jena lower water authority, but expires after 10 years. Certain restrictions also apply to holders of such a permit. For example, the withdrawal quantity is generally limited to a maximum of 1 l/sand a maximum of 5 m³ per year. The permanent insertion of hoses and pumps into the water is not permitted. Installations of any kind in the bed of the watercourse that serve the purpose of damming are also not permitted.

Use water sparingly

At this point, we appeal to holders of a water permit to adhere to these conditions and to use the water extracted sparingly and sensibly. If there are signs of non-compliance, a withdrawal log may be ordered or a fine may be imposed. In the event of a repeat offense, the permit may be revoked.

If these measures are unsuccessful and the minimum discharge required for the landscape is reached, the City of Jena reserves the right to completely prohibit the withdrawal of water from surface waters for the purpose of private garden irrigation by means of ageneral decree .