Cause of Zirl water contamination remains unclear

Experts suspect severe weather may have caused germs to enter the water supply of the market town of Zirl in the Innsbruck-Land district, ORF reported. The drinking water no longer needs to be boiled, but chlorine will remain in the supply until a UV treatment system is installed.

In recent days, a burst pipe at Hochzirl Hospital had been considered a possible cause. Deputy Mayor Iris Zangerl-Walser has called for a full investigation, but Mayor Thomas Öfner said experts had so far found no confirmed link.

One theory is that heavy rainfall at the beginning of August washed germs into the groundwater. Geologists observed areas exposed at Schlossbachgraben, which may have opened cracks and allowed surface water to enter the spring water.

“This is currently a hypothesis. We found one inflow with unusual results,” said Bernd Jenewein, managing director of the Institute for Analysis and Quality.

The precise source of the germs remains unknown. A water sample taken in June showed no abnormalities. Öfner said there might never be an exact answer about where the contamination came from.

Residents have criticised the municipality for providing only limited information since the contamination became known. Öfner, who decided not to issue an AT-Alert in consultation with the provincial warning centre, now wants to provide greater clarity.

An information meeting for residents is planned for Thursday. The opposition is calling for a public municipal council meeting.

Water no longer needs to be boiled, but chlorine treatment will continue until the UV system is installed.