Water Scarcity in Austria: This is the Current Situation in the Federal States

The Austrian Association of the Swimming Pool Industry provides recommendations to relieve the water supply. Some municipalities already have filling plans with time slots for pool owners. Currently, the pools are full, and water scarcity is not an acute problem, as a survey by APA in the federal states revealed. The development will continue to be monitored.

Water Scarcity: Hannersdorf in Burgenland Recommends Economical Use of Water

In Burgenland, the daily drinking and utility water demand of around 130 liters per person is covered by the public water supply, according to a request from the state to APA. Both quantity and quality are currently "very satisfactory." The water associations have invested a lot in maintaining the drinking water supply in recent years. Regarding the filling of private pools, the population is being sensitized to use water carefully, especially in hot and low-rainfall times. The municipality of Hannersdorf (district of Oberwart) recently caused a stir by publicly announcing that drinking water would become scarce due to low rainfall and increasing consumption, urging a frugal use of water.

Regionally Challenging Situation Due to Water Scarcity in Burgenland

The situation is also challenging in Seewinkel, which repeatedly struggles with drought and low groundwater levels. The entire northeast is one of the driest regions in Austria, according to the state. Due to increasing dry periods and rising air temperatures, a decline in groundwater recharge is expected, making water availability a "major challenge." This is to be countered by expanding a supra-regional water infrastructure and in the form of water management regional programs. This is also recorded in a "Memorandum of Understanding" between the Ministry of Agriculture, the regions, the water management, and the states of Lower Austria and Burgenland.

Water Scarcity: Calmness in Lower Austria

Predominantly calmness prevails on the topic of water scarcity in Lower Austria. "Water is our number one life resource. We have it in sufficient quantity and best quality. Of course, we ensure that this remains so in the future," stated Deputy Governor Stephan Pernkopf (ÖVP) in response to an APA inquiry. Most pools have already been filled this year. Bans are currently and in the future not necessary. "At most, there is a temporal coordination in some municipalities and smaller water associations so that not everyone fills at the same time," said the deputy governor. The Lower Austrian Association of Municipalities sees it similarly. It can "certainly lead to water shortages in various municipalities every year" due to pool filling, it was said upon request. Therefore, municipalities are recommended to provide citizen information and, based on that, a registration for pool filling. If necessary, the Lower Austrian Water Connection Act also provides for intervention options up to restricting water consumption to the absolutely necessary level.

No Current Water Scarcity in Upper Austria

In Upper Austria, groundwater levels at the key measuring points in the southern part of the state are mostly below the long-term average, but no shortages in the drinking water supply have been reported so far, according to the department of Environmental Councillor Stefan Kaineder (Greens). Upper Austria fortunately has "very powerful groundwater bodies."

Some municipalities in the state have been creating rules for pool filling for years. However, this is mostly about smoothing out consumption peaks. Nevertheless, for months, precipitation levels have been below average, which also contributes to low groundwater levels in some areas of Upper Austria, with a downward trend.

The dryness is also noticeable in surface waters: In May, discharge volumes at some measuring stations were up to 65 percent below the long-term monthly averages. In waters not influenced by snow or glacier melt, individual sections have already dried up. A short-term relaxation of the groundwater situation is not expected given the current weather forecasts.

Water scarcity: "No particular pressure" in Salzburg

In the state of Salzburg, there are currently no problems with public water supply. "We are monitoring the situation closely, but at the moment we have no need for action," explained Theo Steidl, head of the General Water Management Department in the state of Salzburg. The groundwater levels are low, but since the pools are now filled and there are occasional short rainfalls, there is no particular pressure on the water supply.

However, a fundamental change in the situation is not expected according to the long-term forecast for the next six weeks. "The public suppliers are well prepared, we do not expect any problems here. For individual private water suppliers who obtain their drinking water from wells or small springs, it could become critical from July." This would not only include private homes but also agricultural businesses that require quite large amounts of water for livestock.

Currently no water scarcity in Carinthia

In Carinthia, no water supply facilities were known to be struggling with water shortages due to the weather, according to an APA inquiry from the office of the responsible state councilor Daniel Fellner (SPÖ). Many regions are still benefiting from the wet weather and the above-average groundwater recharge in spring. A critical situation for the drinking water supply before midsummer is "rather unlikely." However, this could change if the current dry period continues in the coming weeks. For this reason, it is now important to keep a close eye on water supply in agriculture: "Especially larger livestock in decentralized scattered locations, which are only supplied with water via individual wells, could be affected."

Individual groundwater measuring stations in the Metnitz Valley, Möll Valley, upper and lower Drau Valley, and Rosental currently show low groundwater levels: "However, this does not necessarily mean that the groundwater level in the entire groundwater area is to be classified as low." A relaxation of groundwater levels is unlikely in the medium term. However, since the pools in Carinthia are now filled, there is no need for control measures such as filling times or restrictions.

The fire departments in Carinthia have already carried out several water supply trips on behalf of the respective municipalities this year. Statistics show that in 2025, a third more transports were necessary than in other years. Around 300 supply trips have already been carried out, the Carinthian State Fire Department Association reported on APA inquiry. For the most part, the fire departments were deployed in Lower Carinthia, especially in Völkermarkt, Eberndorf, Bleiburg, and in the Lavant Valley up to the city area of Wolfsberg. "If the dryness continues, there will certainly have to be further support trips by the fire departments in the municipalities," said the fire department association.

Water scarcity in parts of Southern Styria in May

The Styrian Department of Water Management, Resources, and Sustainability emphasized to the APA that the simultaneous filling of many private swimming pools within the area of a water supplier can lead to supply bottlenecks with drinking water or a drop in pressure in the water networks, thereby endangering the drinking water supply. In southern Styrian communities in the district of Leibnitz, the anticipation of the cool water, for example, already led to scarce drinking water at the beginning of May.

Refilling a pool measuring eight by four meters requires around 45,000 liters of water. "In principle, the pool should be filled in consultation with the water supplier," said Peter Rauchleitner from the Department of Water Management, Resources, and Sustainability. Times when water consumption is already increased, such as between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM, should be avoided. In any case, water extraction is only permitted via the house's own water connection and not via hydrants. According to Styrian building law, the construction of swimming pools with a volume of up to 100 cubic meters must also be reported to the municipality.

In Styria, it is currently "too dry everywhere in terms of precipitation amounts, significantly too dry in the southwest with the districts of Deutschlandsberg and Leibnitz," noted Christian Pehsl from the Styrian regional office of Geosphere Austria. Nevertheless, the situation regarding water supply is not critical. No abnormalities regarding water scarcity were reported by the Styrian State Fire Brigade Association either.

Water Scarcity Not an Issue in Tyrol and Vorarlberg

In Tyrol, water scarcity is apparently not an issue at present either. "The (drinking) water supply in Tyrol is generally secured and well-positioned," said the state in response to an APA inquiry. "The fact that precipitation in the form of snow from winter becomes available as water in spring additionally benefits the water supply," the authority further stated. Moreover, 90 percent of the drinking water comes from mountain springs. Pool owners are also unlikely to worry about a lack of water this year. The Tyrolean Association of Municipalities was not aware of any problems in this regard.

In Vorarlberg, there is currently no reason for concern regarding the groundwater level. After a relatively dry spring, there were partly heavy rains. The levels at the groundwater measuring stations of the state's Department of Water Management are below the long-term average, but there are mostly no extreme values, it was said there.

In Vorarlberg, the state and municipalities are also generally asking for consideration when filling pools. According to the Vorarlberg Association of Municipalities, the respective regulation is within the competence of the individual municipality. Thus, private swimming pool owners are sometimes asked to shift the filling to nighttime hours or to register for the planned water consumption at the start of the season in spring.

(APA/Red)

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