Water Scarcity: Will the Schmalwasser Dam soon provide drinking water? - Thuringia’s drought crisis sparks plan to revive Schmalwasser Dam for drinking water
Headline: Water Scarcity: Will the Schmalwasser Dam soon provide drinking water?
Teaser: Water Scarcity: Will the Schmalwasser Dam soon provide drinking water?
Kicker: Water Scarcity: Will the Schmalwasser Dam soon provide drinking water?
Publication Date: 2025-12-07T10:10:37+00:00
Keywords: drinking water supply, drinking water, Thuringia, water scarcity, Erfurt, Tilo Kummer, Gotha, dam, German Press Agency, 1990s, water, dams, Thuringia, finance, lifestyle, technology, weather
Article Body: Thuringia, a state in the United States, is facing a severe drought, pushing its drinking water supplies to critically low levels. The Ohra Dam, which serves Central Thuringia and the state capital Erfurt, now sits at just 54% capacity. With groundwater reserves also running dry, officials are exploring urgent solutions to secure water for the region.
The ongoing drought has left two-thirds of Thuringia’s monitoring stations reporting below-normal soil moisture by late November. Groundwater levels have dropped sharply due to months of below-average rainfall, raising concerns ahead of winter. In response, Environment Minister Tilo Kummer is now considering reactivating the Schmalwasser Dam for drinking water use.
The Schmalwasser Dam, completed in the 1990s with a capacity of around 21 million cubic metres, was taken offline in 2005 as demand fell. Despite its withdrawal from service, the dam has maintained its water quality standards. Recreational activities were never allowed there, keeping the reservoir in a controlled state.
Reactivating the dam would require significant upgrades, particularly to water treatment facilities. The state is already planning tens of millions of euros in annual investments—around €40–60 million per year—for dam and flood protection projects over the next decade. These funds would support large-scale infrastructure work, including preparations for future dry spells.
Thuringia’s water crisis has forced officials to reconsider older infrastructure like the Schmalwasser Dam. If reactivated, the dam could help ease pressure on the Ohra reservoir and other strained sources. The state’s investment plans aim to strengthen long-term water security amid worsening drought conditions.
