New water price ensures turmoil: communities feel disadvantaged!

New water price ensures turmoil: communities feel disadvantaged!

The water association Lower Lafnitztal has caused excitement with a new tariff order, which has been in force since the end of 2024. Instead of the previous billing after consumption, the number of water connections is now used to calculate the basic price in order to guarantee emergency care in times of crisis. This change ensures massive additional costs, which is estimated to be around 30 percent. Eltendorf Mayor Christian Schaberl sharply criticized this measure and described it as socially unjust. "This is an attack on all communities that have their own local water supply through cooperatives," he emphasized. Robert Necker from the Südburgenland interest group also commented on the double burden for the citizens who have to pay high fees for the water association and the cooperative, as burgenland.orf.at reported.

dispute over the tariff regulations

The chairman of the Water Association, Franz Kazina, rejected all allegations and explained that as an association, one reacts to rising water consumption. Managing Director Richard Vettermann emphasized that the new tariff regulations only change the existing costs to the affiliated communities. "There is no cost increase in this sense," added Vettermann and made it clear that the further processing is the responsibility of the communities. The present dispute and cost Situation could affect water withdrawal and other important service processes that could be decisive in an emergency, as was also found in connection with the use of hydrants. According to the provisions, every water withdrawal of hydrants must be approved in advance in order to avoid bottlenecks and problems with water supply, such as Wasserverband-Ul.at

This constantly growing pressure on the water supply and the strict guidelines to check hydrants could make the situation even more complicated, especially if unplanned water withdrawals from the citizens or fire brigade occur. There are strict regulations regarding the density and functionality of the hydrants, and in an emergency, numerous measures have to be taken to prevent or remedy water. By ensuring well -thought -out planning, the water association and the municipalities could better react to the challenges of the futures.