Water consumption scandal: pensioner challenges mayor!

Water consumption scandal: pensioner challenges mayor!

The unusually high water consumption of a pensioner from Brand-Nagelberg is causing public attention and legal disputes. Mayor Georg Einzinger, who has been in office since September 2022, does not see himself responsible for the incident. The affected resident is said to have used a whopping 5.3 million liters of water in 2023, resulting in a municipal bill of 10,075 euros. In comparison, the average annual consumption of a two-person household in Lower Austria is only around 100,000 liters. A dripping tap can only cause a fraction of this consumption – around 6,200 liters per year.

The pensioner, Josef Preßlmayer, vehemently denied the high water consumption and questioned the Federal Weights and Measures Office measurements. He was initially able to lodge an objection against the payment requirement in court, but this failed in the Lower Austrian State Administrative Court. This procedure was ultimately overturned by the Administrative Court (VwGH) in Vienna due to procedural deficiencies, as Preßlmayer had not received the calibration report before the hearing. He also expresses the suspicion of a defective water meter.

Legal disputes

Despite the overturning of the judgment, which demanded the payment of 10,075 euros, the legal disputes for Preßlmayer did not end as hoped. The Administrative Court did not address the issue of high water consumption, but rather pointed out the deficiencies in the procedure. The proceedings will now be referred back to the State Administrative Court, where Preßlmayer has the opportunity to submit a counter-evaluation. In addition, it was decided that the municipality must reimburse him 1,346.40 euros.

In the meantime, Preßlmayer filed a complaint against Mayor Einzinger for abuse of office, but the investigation was discontinued. Einzinger stated that he was not aware of any gross misconduct and emphasized that the report had been submitted in a timely manner. The pensioner has also announced that he will renew protest posters after his original posters denouncing his concerns were vandalized.

Water consumption in Germany and Austria

The incident raises questions about the transparency and reliability of the water supply. According to data from the Federal Statistical Office, the water charge to private households is collected every three years and differentiated according to different types of fees and regions. This information is important for the resident population, especially at a time when the costs of water and wastewater services are coming into focus. Destatis offers detailed information about water charges and the water management in Germany.

The case of the pensioner in Brand-Nagelberg is an example of the challenges that can arise in water supply. The significantly different consumption values ​​raise questions and must be carefully considered by both the authorities and residents. crown reports that pensioner consumption has returned to normal levels in 2024, making the situation seem all the more mysterious.

In summary, it can be said that the legal and financial challenges for Preßlmayer are far from over. The exact background to his exorbitant water consumption remains unclear and could lead to legal disputes in the future. This discussion is also supported by a broader awareness of water management and its importance in people's everyday lives. NOEN illuminates the dimensions of this extraordinary case.