Salzburg weighs linking water cooperatives to protect supplies

Salzburg is considering closer links between its water cooperatives to keep drinking water flowing during prolonged droughts, ORF reported. The proposal was discussed at a drinking-water information day at the St. Virgil education centre in Salzburg-Aigen on Wednesday.

Summer drought has pushed some drinking-water providers close to their limits, while groundwater levels remain unusually low this week. Supply varies widely across the state: some providers have ample water, while others face critical groundwater levels and rely on small wells, said Matthäus Wimmer, head of the umbrella association of water providers.

There is still enough drinking water for everyone in Salzburg, said technical consultant Stephan Kettl. But he called for better connections between the many small cooperatives, which often operate independently. Additional storage, new sources and pipelines could allow communities to help one another in an emergency, experts said.

A pipeline already connects the water cooperatives in Nußdorf am Haunsberg and neighbouring Göming, allowing Göming to help supply Nußdorf. Wimmer said communities would also need to agree on priorities when supplies are strained.