Heat Effects on Rivers and Streams: Ministry Provides Information on Temperatures, Oxygen Levels, and Algae Growth

Information sheet on water extraction from rivers and streams 26.06.2026 Due to the ongoing drought and low water levels in flowing waters, the State Office for Environment and Occupational Safety (LUA) points out that the extraction of water from streams and rivers, e.g. for irrigation purposes, within the framework of common use according to § 22 para. 1 Saarland Water Act (SWG) in conjunction with § 25 para. 1 Water Resources Act (WHG) is only permitted by scooping with hand-held containers. Common use does not include the installation of permanent facilities for watering or scooping. Extraction using technical devices, e.g. electric garden pumps, requires a water rights permit for water use in accordance with § 10 WHG, which must be applied for at the State Office for Environment and Occupational Safety, Don-Bosco-Straße 1, 66119 Saarbrücken. When extracting water, it is essential to ensure that neither deepening (pump sump) nor other changes within or at the waterbody (stairs for access, shafts, etc.) nor a damming of the waterbody may be constructed. Extraction without a valid permit constitutes an administrative offense according to § 141 SWG, which may result in a fine. A permit can only be granted if no adverse changes to the properties of the water, no significant reduction of water flow, and no other impairment of the water balance are expected. The retention of a sufficient residual water quantity in the waterbody must be ensured and controllable. With permanently or temporarily low flow rates in the waterbody, the permit may also be denied or the extraction limited by conditions. Therefore, the State Office for Environment and Occupational Safety requests that intended applications be coordinated in advance by phone or email to determine whether a permit can generally be expected for the intended waterbody. The permit for water extraction does not include a water law entitlement to a certain amount and quality of water inflow. The State Office for Environment and Occupational Safety has developed a guideline for reviewing applications for permits to extract water from surface waters. This guideline, among other things, shows at which waterbodies the permission to extract water is excluded from the outset. The guideline can be viewed at www.saarland.de/leitfaden-wasserentnahme. Note: Water extractions already permitted by permit decisions must also be discontinued if the water availability of the affected waterbody falls below the mean low flow (MNQ). The corresponding water level can be found in the conditions of the permit decision. Current gauge and water levels can be viewed at www.saarland.de/wasserstaende-warnlage. Press contact Ministry for Environment, Climate, Mobility, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Phone: 0681/501-4710 Email: presse@umwelt.saarland.de Website: www.umwelt.saarland.de Facebook: www.facebook.com/umwelt.saarland.de Instagram: www.instagram.com/umweltministerium_saarland LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/mukmav