The Ministry of the Environment has suspended authorisations for water extraction across all of Luxembourg's watercourses, with immediate effect and for an indefinite period, with the exception of the Moselle.
The decision, announced on Wednesday at around 3.30pm, comes in response to exceptionally dry weather conditions observed in recent weeks, with forecasts predicting the situation will persist. According to the Water Management Authority, "the flow rates of the majority of watercourses in the Grand Duchy are currently at or below the average low-water mark and continue to decrease."
The ongoing high temperatures are causing significant warming of watercourses and a decrease in dissolved oxygen levels. As a result, "critical thresholds for the survival of aquatic wildlife have already been reached" for many rivers and streams, or risk being so "in the coming days."
Under these conditions, the natural capacity of watercourses to dilute pollutants is reduced, contributing to the deterioration of the ecological quality of aquatic environments. To protect aquatic wildlife, the Ministry announced a temporary ban on water extraction with immediate effect.
The measure applies to all surface watercourses and bodies of water, "with the exception of the Moselle." Due to its specific hydrological conditions and the flow rates currently observed, the Moselle is not affected by the ban.
It is further reiterated that, in accordance with current legislation, any water extraction from surface waters requires prior authorisation. In the absence of such authorisation, any extraction remains prohibited throughout the year.
The Water Management Authority is continuously monitoring the development of the hydrological situation. As part of the work carried out within the International Commissions for the Protection of the Moselle and the Saar (ICPMS) regarding low water levels, a joint observation network has been established across the international catchment area of the Moselle and the Saar.
