Thursday, July 23rd 2026
The protection of reservoirs and artificial lakes that serve as sources of drinking water or are of strategic importance for water and energy supply is a consolidated practice in the member states of the European Union.
In all 27 EU member states there are reservoirs and artificial lakes that are subject to special environmental protection, sanitary or water resources management regimes. In these areas, national legislation provides for strict restrictions or bans on the construction of private facilities near the coasts, in order to preserve water quality, protect ecosystems and guarantee the safety of water infrastructure.
Among the best-known examples are the Rappbode reservoir in Germany, the Mornos reservoir in Greece, the Švihov reservoir in the Czech Republic, the Castelo de Bode reservoir in Portugal, the Starina reservoir in Slovakia and the Iskar reservoir in Bulgaria. In these and many other reservoirs, the surrounding areas are protected through special rules that limit or prohibit residential construction.
These measures are based on the national legislation of each country, in accordance with the general framework of the European Union for the protection of water resources, which aims to prevent pollution, maintain the quality of drinking water and sustainable management of water reserves.
European practice proves that the protection of strategic reservoirs it is not only considered a matter of spatial planning, but also a public interest related to environmental safety, public health and long-term water supply.
Below you find an overview of the 27 member states of the European Union, together with a recognized artificial lake or reservoir in each of them, where national legislation provides for strict restrictions or bans on the construction of private dwellings due to the protection of water resources, sanitary areas and the environment.
Denmark – Tange Sø
Protection status: Denmark’s largest man-made lake. Its shores are protected by the Danish Nature Protection Act and environmental policies, which prohibit housing construction.
Estonia – Paunküla Reservoir (Paunküla veehoidla)
Protection status: Important reserve source for Tallinn’s water supply. The surrounding lands have been declared water protection zones, where housing construction is prohibited to prevent pollution.
Finland – Lokka Reservoir (Lokkan tekojärvi)
Protection status: A large man-made reservoir in Lapland, surrounded by protected peatland ecosystems and conservation areas, where residential construction is not permitted.
France – Lake Pannecière (Lac de Pannecière)
Protection status: Located in the Morvan Regional Natural Park. As a flood control and water supply reservoir, it is protected by French legislation and regional park rules, which prohibit construction near the banks.
Germany – Rappbode Reservoir (Rappbode-Talsperre)
Protection status: The largest drinking water reservoir in the Harz region. It is surrounded by drinking water protection zones (Trinkwasserschutzzone I and II), where housing construction is prohibited.
Greece – Mornos Reservoir
Conservation status: Main water source for Athens. The watershed is protected by legal acts that prohibit residential developments within designated sanitary zones.
Hungary – Lake Tisza (Kisköre Reservoir)
Protection status: Although some parts are used for tourism, the sectors included in Hortobágy National Park are protected by law and prohibit the construction of dwellings along the protected shores.
Ireland – Poulaphouca Reservoir (Blessington Lakes)
Conservation status: Created by Poulaphouca Dam to supply Dublin’s water supply. The shores are protected by local development plans and water legislation, prohibiting the construction of housing near the water.
Italy – Lake Campotosto (Lago di Campotosto)
Protection status: Artificial reserve within the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. Park rules prohibit the construction of residential buildings along the shores.
Latvia – Pļaviņas Reservoir (Pļaviņu ūdeskrātuve)
Protection status: A large hydropower reservoir on the Daugava River. The state water protection law prohibits the construction of housing in protected areas and flood plains.
Lithuania – Kaunas Reservoir (Kauno marios)
Protection status: Created by the Kaunas Hydropower Plant and part of the Kaunas Lagoon Regional Park. The nature protection status prohibits the construction of private housing.
Luxembourg – Lake Upper Sûre (Stausee Uewersauer)
Protection status: It supplies drinking water to more than half of Luxembourg’s population. It has been declared a national water protection zone, where housing construction is prohibited.
Malta – Chadwick Lakes (Wied il-Qleiħa)
Conservation status: Historic system of man-made dams and reservoirs. The area is classified as Outside Development Zone (ODZ) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC), where residential construction is not permitted.
The Netherlands – De Gijster Reservoir
Conservation status: Important reserve for water conservation, located within De Biesbosch National Park. Park and environmental protection rules prohibit housing construction.
Poland – Lake Solina (Jezioro Solińskie)
Protection status: Artificial lake in the Bieszczady region, surrounded by the San Valley Landscape Protected Area, where protection zones prohibit residential construction along the shores.
Portugal – Castelo de Bode Reservoir (Albufeira de Castelo de Bode)
Protection status: One of the main sources of drinking water for Lisbon. It is managed under the Reservoir Management Plan, which prohibits construction near the banks.
Romania – Lake Vidraru (Lacul Vidraru)
Protection status: Mountain hydropower reserve. Watersheds and the surrounding environment are protected by law, prohibiting the construction of housing along the banks.
Slovakia – Starina Reservoir (Vodná nádrž Starina)
Protection status: The main drinking water reservoir in Slovakia, located in the Poloniny National Park. There are hygiene-sanitary protection zones of category I and II, where construction is prohibited and, in some parts, even the entry of people..
Slovenia – Moste Reservoir
Protection status: Hydropower reserve on the Sava Dolinka River. Rules for the management of water resources prohibit the construction of residential buildings along coasts and areas at risk of erosion.
Spain – El Atazar Reservoir (Embalse de El Atazar)
Conservation status: The largest reservoir that supplies Madrid with drinking water. It is included in a protected catchment area, where regional legislation prohibits the construction of private housing.
Sweden – Bornsjön Reservoir
Conservation status: Reserve for Stockholm’s drinking water supply. It has been declared a Water Protection Area (Vattenskyddsområde), where housing construction and land development near the lake are prohibited.
Source: prizrenpost
Etiketa: Brief
