Start for Installation of Europe's Largest Rainwater Pump on Vienna's Danube Island

The rainwater pump weighs 63 tons, is 13 meters high, and can pump 15,000 liters of water per second, making it the most powerful facility in Europe. The project on Vienna's Danube Island, running until 2026, improves flood protection for the 21st and 22nd districts.

More Power for Flood Protection with New Rainwater Pump on Vienna's Danube Island

"Responsible politics means thinking about the day after tomorrow today. Therefore, we are strengthening our infrastructure to better protect the people of Vienna from the impacts of climate change, such as heavy rainfall events, in the future. With the installation of the new high-performance pump at the Danube Island pumping station, we are increasing the drainage capacity during rain and creating more safety for the districts of Floridsdorf and Donaustadt," said Vienna's Climate City Councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky. The Danube Island pumping station, one of the largest in Europe, was built between 1970 and 1980 along with the Danube Island. It is an important part of Vienna's sewage system, along with the treatment plant and large collection channels. It pumps 600 to 2,000 liters of wastewater per second daily from the 21st and 22nd districts to the treatment plant in Simmering. This amount increases significantly during rain.

During heavy rain, powerful rainwater pumps direct mixed water into the Danube. Mixed water occurs when wastewater and rainwater mix. This must be quickly drained to prevent street flooding. The pumping station on the Danube Island helps with this. It has six pumps with a capacity of 40,000 liters per second, which is being further expanded. Since August 2024, work has been underway on a new pump that will deliver an additional 15,000 liters per second and improve protection in Floridsdorf and Donaustadt. This pump is the largest of its kind in Europe. Additionally, the facility is being optimized for energy efficiency.

Challenging Installation of the 63-Ton Rainwater Pump on Vienna's Danube Island

The director of Wien Kanal, Andreas Ilmer, emphasizes the precise planning and exact coordination required for installing a large, functional pump in an active pumping station. The work requires millimeter-precise accuracy to correctly assemble the pump parts. The team ensures a quick and safe integration while maintaining full operational readiness. The flood in 2024 demonstrated the effectiveness of Vienna's flood protection measures and the importance of such projects in light of increased heavy rainfall events due to climate change. The additional high-performance pump improves the response to heavy rain and protects the infrastructure and the population, according to SPÖ club chairman Josef Taucher.

Climate change is leading to more frequent and intense heavy rainfall, which puts a significant strain on the sewer system. To drain the water more efficiently, the pumping station is being expanded with an additional high-performance pump, emphasizes Angelika Pipal-Leixner from NEOS Vienna. The district chairman of Floridsdorf, Georg Papai, praises the investments, as the Donauinsel pumping station improves flood protection and secures wastewater disposal for the future.

Building on Vienna's Danube Island becomes climate-ready

In addition to enhanced flood protection, the entire structure is being made climate-ready. The building is undergoing thermal optimization, the roof surfaces are being insulated, insulating glass windows are being installed, and an external sunshade is being added. Plants, herbs, and grasses will grow on the roof, storing water and cooling the ceiling. After the completion of the work in 2026, the roof will be used for the City of Vienna's solar panel initiative.

With a pipeline length of more than 2,500 kilometers, Vienna Kanal is the largest domestic sewer network operator. 99.9 percent of all households in the city are connected to it. Approximately half a billion liters of wastewater from two million people and 180,000 buildings are transported daily to the treatment plant in Simmering.

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(APA/Red)

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