Rafting ban on Ötztaler Ache draws criticism

Tyrol has banned water sports on part of the Ötztaler Ache river because of a possible increase in bacterial contamination, ORF reported. The measure is affecting 14 rafting companies in the region, while Sölden Mayor Ernst Schöpf has criticised the strict restrictions.

The ban was imposed this week by the Imst district authority after water samples indicated elevated bacterial levels, according to the Tyrol provincial government. Operators must cancel tours or move them to other waterways during the peak season.

Christian Schnöller, managing director of Area47, said about 500 guests had booked tours through mid-September and would now have to be informed about the ban. He said the measure had to be accepted because health came first, but noted that there had been no health complaints among guests or guides during the previous three weeks of rafting.

Rafting and other water sports are now taking place on the Inn river, including in the Imst Gorge and near Haiming.

The contamination risk follows storm damage to the Sölden sewage treatment plant at the end of July. Wastewater was discharged into the Ötztaler Ache without filtration, and only coarse treatment has been possible again for just over a week.

Schöpf said in Sölden that he could not understand the ban, although he accepted that it had to be observed. He said the treatment plant processes 4,000 to 6,000 cubic metres of water every 24 hours, while further inflows increase the river’s volume. The plant is partly operational again and filters out larger contaminants, but full microbiological treatment could take several more weeks or months because replacement parts still need to be delivered.