Europe Is Running Out of Water: Rivers Shrink, Nuclear Plants Cut Output, Cities Cut Supplies

Drinking water shortages are no longer a problem confined to arid regions. In the summer of 2026, signs of a water crisis began appearing in countries where rivers, lakes and developed infrastructure had created an almost guaranteed sense of water security. In late July, Moldova declared a hydrological alert and began using its strategic water reserves. Moldova Cannot Do on Its Own The water shortage in the European country has been caused by falling water levels in the upper reaches of the Dniester River, which serves as the main source of drinking water for major cities. Moldova and Ukraine share the waterway, and it was Ukrainian authorities who first warned about problems with water levels in the river’s upper reaches. 112.9 metres — the level to which water in the Novodnestrovsk Reservoir has fallen, reaching a critical point.