Klagenfurt: Drinking water crisis and the forgotten Karawankenquelle

Klagenfurt: Drinking water crisis and the forgotten Karawankenquelle

The drinking water situation in Klagenfurt has excited some concerns in the past few weeks. In certain parts of the city, the water was inedible for up to four weeks. This crisis has rejected the discussion about alternative water sources. Especially the caravan sources, which were advertised as a potential emergency reserve, move into the light of interest.

The caravan sources that are near the border with Slovenia have so far been often mentioned as a solution in apparently critical moments, but these plans have never been implemented. It remains unclear why these sources cannot be used under the current circumstances, although the need is there.

The background of the problem

The challenge is not new. There are regular bottlenecks in water supply, which always lead to these considerations. But instead of tapping the caravan sources, other measures have so far been taken to ensure the drinking water supply of the population. This raises questions about the availability and quality of these alternative water sources.

It is important to take the necessary steps to find a sustainable solution for the water supply. The fact that an alternative source like the caravan sources is often under discussion but is not being put into practice indicates structural problems in water policy.