The government is urging people to save water, with high temperatures set to persist and groundwater reserves scarcer than normal as this time of year.
Luxembourg residents should not water their lawns and only water plants in the morning or at night, and if possible should only do so with rainwater, the Administration de la gestion de l’eau (Water Management Authority) said on Wednesday.
People should also have short showers, avoid letting the tap run when applying soap before washing, and running washing machines and dishwashers only when full, the agency said.
Motorists are being urged to only clean their cars in professional car washes as they reuse water, the administration said in a statement.
“Every action counts and contributes to guaranteeing drinking water supply for the entirety of the summer,” the administration said.
Along with the rest of Europe, Luxembourg is experiencing high temperatures, with rain next forecast on Tuesday, almost a week away.
A drought last year meant that soils across Luxembourg were unusually dry, which meant that they absorbed rainwater during the autumn first and less rainwater could trickle down to groundwater level, which is where Luxembourg gets its drinking water from.
Groundwater reserves were 30% lower in the winter of 2022 compared to a year earlier, the water agency said, with the flow of certain water sources among the lowest ever measured in twenty years.
An unusually sunny February meant that nature was blossoming sooner than normal, while rain showers in March came too late to fill up groundwater reserves as flora absorbed most of the water.
Climate change will worsen the phenomenon in the future, the water management agency said.
Source link : https://www.luxtimes.lu/luxembourg/save-water-as-drought-persists-government-urges/1661525.html
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Publish date : 2023-06-14 03:00:00
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