Months of rain needed to restore Styrian groundwater

The record-breaking hot and dry summer has left groundwater levels and spring water supplies in Styria critically low, and months of rain may be needed for recovery, ORF reported.

“Almost all groundwater monitoring stations operated by the hydrographic service are still below their long-term averages, with most also in the low-water range,” said Genia Giuliani of the Graz-based Geology and Groundwater company.

Current data show low levels across the whole province, stretching from Mitterberg at the Grimming mountain through Oberpremstätten near Graz to Diepersdorf on the border with Slovenia.

The recent rainfall has also done little to ease the situation. Styrian fire brigades are making dozens of daily utility-water deliveries to houses and farms without sufficient water supplies, Giuliani said.

“This is a short respite, but I would not describe it as anything more,” she said. Sustainable recovery would require at least a rainy autumn and a snowy winter. Reaching long-term averages could take months, or even longer if the expected rainfall does not arrive.

Water suppliers in Styria are also asking pool owners not to empty their pools completely over winter. Franz Krainer of the Leibnitzerfeld water supplier confirmed that, to conserve water for next year, owners should drain only the pipes and protect them against frost.