Overview

• A recent survey by the Verband kommunaler Unternehmen found that 38% of municipal pools in Germany have unfilled positions, with over 10% vacancies in a quarter of facilities.
• Staff shortages have forced 12% of pool operators to close temporarily on weekends, with broader impacts on service hours and access.
• 34% of operators plan to adopt AI-assisted video surveillance for water safety within three years, though legal and privacy concerns remain unresolved.
• Many pools face financial strain due to rising costs and aging infrastructure, even as a €1 billion federal modernization fund has been announced.
• Germany’s network of over 6,000 pools, largely managed by municipal utilities, highlights the urgent need for sustainable upgrades and innovative staffing solutions.