The city of Kronberg im Taunus changed its water traffic light from "yellow" to "red" on Monday, July 10, 2023. The drastic increase in water consumption in recent days is rapidly depleting the city's water supplies. Kronberg's mayor, Christoph König, emphasizes the urgency of immediate action to prevent a drinking water shortage.
The critical situation and increasing water consumption
The figures already illustrate how critical the situation is. In the fall and winter months, Kronberg's average daily consumption is between 2,500 m³ and 2,700 m³, while in spring and summer it averages between 3,000 m³ and 3,500 m³ of fresh water. However, for several days now, the city's supply stations have been under "constant stress." Daily water consumption is now well over 4,000 m³ and continues to rise. Mayor König warns: "Last weekend, we were on track for 4,500 m³. That's alarming." One reason for the sharp increase in water consumption is intensive garden irrigation, often with the help of automatic irrigation systems.
The measures for "red"
In light of the critical situation, the city of Kronberg im Taunus has taken measures to limit water consumption and protect drinking water supplies. The following measures should be observed:
- Do not use drinking water to wash vehicles or clean buildings, terraces, etc.: It is important to use alternatives such as rainwater or special cleaning products.
- Avoid filling or topping up pools, cisterns, etc. with drinking water: alternative water sources should be used for these purposes.
- Refrain from watering gardens and green spaces with drinking water, except for newly planted areas: Watering gardens and green spaces should be stopped for the time being, unless they are newly planted areas.
- Urgently necessary larger drinking water withdrawals must be coordinated with the waterworks in advance: For larger drinking water withdrawals, prior consultation with the local waterworks is required.
Current information and resources
To keep the public informed about the drinking water situation and responsible use of drinking water, the Kronberg municipal utilities provide daily updates on the official website of the city of Kronberg im Taunus ( www.kronberg.de ). Push notifications can be activated via the environmental app, available in the App Store (iOS) and the Google Play Store.
The town of Kronberg im Taunus is facing an acute water emergency that requires urgent action to maintain the drinking water supply. By adhering to the established measures and using water responsibly, every resident can play their part in overcoming the crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why was the water light in Kronberg set to "red"? The water light was set to "red" because water consumption in the city has increased dramatically and water supplies are becoming scarce.
2. What impact does the water crisis have on the population? The water crisis may require certain uses of drinking water to be restricted in order to conserve water supplies. This applies, for example, to washing vehicles or watering gardens.
3. How can I reduce my water consumption? Measures such as collecting rainwater for garden irrigation and avoiding unnecessary water consumption in the home can help reduce water consumption.
4. Are there alternative water sources in Kronberg? Yes, there are alternative water sources such as cisterns or rainwater storage tanks that can be used for certain purposes.
5. How long is the water emergency expected to last? The duration of the water emergency depends on various factors, including water consumption and the replenishment of water supplies. It is important to follow the instructions of local authorities and water companies to manage the situation.