Carinthia avoids all-time groundwater lows despite drought

Groundwater levels are falling across Austria, but no monitoring station in Carinthia has recorded an all-time low, according to a Greenpeace analysis reported by ORF. The ongoing drought is nevertheless affecting the state’s water reserves.

At about one-third of the 15 monitoring stations examined in Carinthia, groundwater levels were the lowest ever recorded for mid-October. Across Austria, 36 of 227 stations reached their lowest levels since records began. The most affected states were Styria, with nine record lows, Upper Austria with eight and Lower Austria with seven.

Greenpeace said persistent dry weather was chiefly responsible. Except for February, every month this year had too little rain or snow. The organisation warned that a winter without substantial precipitation could put further pressure on already depleted reserves, while groundwater remains in demand from households, agriculture and industry.

Greenpeace is urging Water Minister Norbert Totschnig to speed up plans for a register of water withdrawals. It also wants a national water strategy and a levy on large industrial water users, with the revenue used to help secure Austria’s drinking-water supply over the long term.