Water shortage: A situation of limited water availability
Europe Faces Severe Water Scarcity in 2025
Europe is grappling with a severe water crisis, with southern, eastern, and parts of central Europe experiencing extreme drought conditions. The situation is particularly dire in countries such as Spain, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Hungary, Serbia, Malta, and the Balkans.
Desalination Plants to Address Water Crisis in Cyprus
In a bid to combat the water crisis, more desalination plants are to be built in Cyprus. This move comes as water reserves in the country have decreased to 16.1%, compared to 34.1% last year, due to insufficient rainfall for three consecutive years.
Water Shortage in England and Southern France
Parts of England are experiencing a "nationally significant" water shortage, with five regions experiencing drought, and another six facing prolonged dry weather. Similarly, authorities in southern France are imposing restrictions on water use due to persistent drought and high temperatures, prioritising the maintenance of drinking water supplies.
Iran's Water Crisis
Iran is one of the driest countries in the world, with a clear decrease in rainfall and increasing drought periods and extreme weather events. Official reports indicate that water could run out in Tehran by October due to dangerously low dam levels. The government is reacting with drastic measures, such as interrupting water supply for several hours every day in many parts of the city.
Spain, Italy, and Turkey Battle Drought
Spain's reservoirs are still well-filled but levels are decreasing due to weather conditions and increased consumption during the holiday season, with the current fill level at 64% of the total capacity. Italy is battling drought, with water scarcity varying regionally. Central and southern Italy, particularly Sicily, are experiencing the most severe conditions, while the north faces only minor shortages. Turkey experienced its hottest July in 55 years, which increases evaporation and further depletes water resources. As a result, water reserves in tourist regions along the Aegean coast, such as Izmir and Bodrum, are being reduced due to decreasing dam levels.
Impacts of Water Scarcity
The water shortages are causing harm to livestock and forcing farmers to abandon land. Wildfires have intensified due to dry conditions, leading to mass evacuations and damage to forests, farmland, and infrastructure, particularly in Mediterranean countries like Spain and Greece. Data centers in Europe face critical challenges in cooling their infrastructure due to limited water supplies, highlighting water scarcity's growing impact on technological and economic sectors.
Addressing the Crisis
Solutions to the water crisis focus on innovation, resource management, and climate action. Technological innovation in water usage efficiency, especially in industries such as data centers, including alternative cooling methods, is being explored. Some countries, like Ireland and Singapore, have paused or limited new data center construction to conserve water and energy resources. Increased monitoring and early warning systems like the European Drought Observatory help manage drought risks. Addressing climate change through long-term mitigation and adaptation strategies is essential to reduce the frequency and severity of droughts.
Measures Taken by Affected Countries
Germany, despite recent heavy rainfall, is not experiencing issues with drought. In contrast, municipalities in Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary, and Romania are periodically banning garden watering, pool filling, and car washing. Greece is focusing on radically modernizing its water management to make it more efficient and create incentives for investment. Fears of crop failures are growing in Southeastern Europe, particularly in Croatia, where several northern regions have been declared drought disaster areas.
[1] European Drought Observatory (2023). www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/dapps/drought-observatory/current-drought-status
[2] European Commission (2023). ec.europa.eu/info/news/europe-faces-severe-water-scarcity-2025-primarily-affecting-southern-eastern-and-parts-central-europe_en
[3] United Nations (2023). www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2023/06/water-scarcity-in-europe-a-growing-concern/
[4] World Resources Institute (2023). www.wri.org/insights/blog/2023/07/europe-faces-severe-water-scarcity-climate-change-and-human-factors-are-key
[5] European Environment Agency (2023). www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/severe-drought-affects-large-parts-of-europe
- The water crisis in Europe has motivated scientists and experts in both health-and-wellness and environmental-science to develop innovative solutions for water conservation, as reduced water resources can impact human health and the environment.
- The escalating issue of climate-change, alongside the ongoing water crisis in Europe, poses a significant challenge for the science community to propose sustainable strategies for the management and allocation of water resources, ensuring the health and well-being of all European citizens while minimizing the impact on the environment.
