The surprising reason one in three of Copenhagen’s famous fountains are dry

For most visitors, Copenhagen’s elegant fountains are part of the city’s postcard-perfect charm, bubbling away in leafy squares and historic parks throughout the summer.

But this year, many tourists have been met with an unexpected sight: dry basins, silent water features and signs explaining why they have been switched off.

The surprising reason? Just two resignations.

A staffing crisis with city-wide consequences

Around one in three of Copenhagen’s public fountains are currently out of action after two experienced employees responsible for maintaining the city’s water features left their jobs.

The departures have created a shortage of specialist staff capable of operating and maintaining the fountains, forcing municipal authorities to prioritise only the most important locations while leaving dozens temporarily switched off.

Although the fountains themselves remain in good condition, the city says it simply does not have enough qualified workers to keep every installation running safely and reliably at the same time.

Why the fountains can’t simply be turned back on

Keeping a public fountain operating involves far more than flicking a switch.

The systems require regular technical inspections, water-quality monitoring, pump maintenance and routine cleaning to prevent breakdowns or hygiene issues. Many of Copenhagen’s fountains are older installations with specialist equipment that requires experienced technicians.

Officials say replacing the departing employees has proved difficult because the role requires a unique combination of mechanical, electrical and water management skills. Until new staff are recruited and trained, resources are being concentrated on the city’s best-known fountains.

Residents hope for a quick solution

The closures have prompted disappointment among residents and visitors alike, particularly during the height of the summer tourist season when Copenhagen’s parks and public squares are busiest.

City officials are now working to recruit replacement staff, with the aim of gradually bringing more fountains back into operation once enough trained personnel are in place.

For now, however, roughly a third of Copenhagen’s fountains will remain dry, serving as an unusual reminder of how the departure of just two key employees can have an unexpectedly visible impact across an entire city.