Preventing water shortagesHow to save water during dry summer months: ministry

It has been a comparatively dry year thus far with only very little rainfall during winter. Summer has now arrived in Luxembourg and the weather continues to be extremely dry.

The Ministry of the Environment and Luxembourg's water authority have therefore appealed to the public to be economical in the use of potable water as water consumption is likely to increase in the coming weeks.

The ministry has listed a number of recommendations, urging the public to refrain from...

• filling up private pools
• washing their car at home
• cleaning pavements, facades, garages
• using high pressure cleaners
• operating water fountains (except self-contained, closed-loop systems)
• unnecessary watering
• cooling drinks and foods with running water

Officials hope that the respect of these recommendations will avoid water shortages and formal restrictions.

The ministry also appealed to the public to avoid using surface water pumps. Pumping surface water out of the ground can impact the water quality of rivers and streams, which, in return, can harm aquatic animals.

Individuals who wish to pump surface water require a formal authorisation from the Ministry of the Environment.

If a river or stream reaches its minimal water level, the use of water pumps is forbidden - even if the ministry previously issued an authorisation.