Vienna ensures: Drinking water supply remains stable even in the heat!

Vienna ensures: Drinking water supply remains stable even in the heat!

Austria's drinking water supply remains well positioned despite the challenges of climate change. According to the [Wiener Presse Office] (https://presse.wien.gv.at/presse/2025/22/trinkwasser supply-istsicher-trotz-klima change), however, there are increasing temperatures, longer dry periods as well as heavy rain events and falling groundwater levels on the agenda. Water Minister Norbert Tettschnig as well as the city of Vienna and the Austrian Association for the gas and water subject (ÖVGW) therefore require higher investments in the water supply systems in order to secure the quality and availability of drinking water in the long term.

In order to meet the new challenges, the Ministry of Water Management promotes the expansion of the public supply network. This includes the construction of additional fountains and source versions as well as the expansion of composite lines. Since 1993, over 17,400 projects with a total volume of around 5.6 billion euros have been implemented, with almost one billion euros being funded by the BMLUK.

necessary investments and infrastructure projects

A central example of necessary investments is the expansion of the Schafberg water tank in Vienna, which is estimated at around 20 million euros. In 2023, a nationwide drinking water security plan was presented, which contains important precautionary measures and recommendations for action. Part of this plan is a 5-point program for long-term securing drinking water supply, which also includes sensitization of the population via the value of drinking water.

Information platforms such as "water -active" and "gen blue" are available for information about water supply and their importance. In addition, Vienna invests up to 100 million euros annually in improving its drinking water infrastructure. Forecasts show that the city could gain the size of Graz by 2050, which would result in an increase in water requirements by about 15 percent.

global challenges and resilient strategies

climate change also presents German water suppliers with challenges. In Germany, many infrastructure systems are outdated and not designed for the growing requirements. Innovative technologies such as fast detection and warning systems as well as online monitoring, are becoming increasingly important for the modernization of the infrastructure. A report by the permanent committee "Climate Change" shows regional differences in precipitation and predicts an increase in the average annual rainfall by up to 15 percent by the middle of the century, such as [DVGW] (https://www.dvgw-kongress.de/aktuelles/blog/Resilienz-in-der-Water supply management) reported.

The dry year 2018 was an important stress test for water preparation in Germany. Long dry phases and high temperatures led to an increased water requirement, which led to record values for daily water consumption. The DVGW calls for a thorough examination of the water suppliers to ensure that they have necessary redundancies and system reserves.

The discussion about the priority of drinking water supply compared to other water uses and the clarification of water quality, especially for agricultural purposes, are urgently required. Effective emergency provision planning must clarify responsibilities and improve the coordination between water suppliers, municipalities, authorities and disaster protection in order to be up to the future challenges - a strategy that is also considered in the considerations of the DVGW reflected.