The flood disaster in South Styria also has consequences for the drinking water supply. Landslides cause damage to lines, the situation is particularly tense in Kitzeck. In the municipality of Straß alone, 80 households depend on bottled water.
These are images that are known from international TV news: a truck stops and Red Cross employees unload pallets with water bottles, which are distributed among the population in emergencies.
This time, the Straß in South Styria is being supplied: About 200 people in 80 households that are not connected to the public water network are currently unable to drink water from their domestic wells there, there are 65 houses in the Lichendorf district alone.
“You’ve Been Punished Enough Already”
The wells are polluted by the weekend’s flooding, explains Mayor Reinhold Höflechner. A depot was set up at the fire station on Saturday where residents can fetch water. “The municipality will bear the costs for this, as well as for the upcoming investigation into the wells. Those affected have already been punished enough,” says Höflechner. It is hoped that the laboratory results will be available by the end of next week and give the green light for the wells.
Lichendorf is currently the biggest problem child in Styria when it comes to water supply, says Harald Eitner, disaster management director. But there are other failures in the communities, isolated properties are especially affected.
emergency supplies needed
This is also confirmed by Stefan Theissl, the director of the Vulkanland Water Association. “In principle, the supply is assured and the quality of the water is also OK.” In addition, the large transport line in Eastern Styria – built for times of crisis – was strengthened. But time and time again, landslides cause local damage and necessitate emergency supplies.
An example is the Gnaser districts of Raning and Thien: the supply pipe to an elevated tank broke here, reports Mayor Gerhard Meixner. Therefore, the container must be filled manually by the fire brigade.
Slope in Kitzeck slips
The situation is also tense in the supply area of the Leibnitzerfeld Water Association. According to director Franz Krainer, one of the twelve wells (St. Georgen an der Stiefing) is out of use for safety reasons. There are currently no interruptions in the 340-kilometre-long national line network, but a landslide threatens an important line in Kitzeck. Parts of Kitzeck and St. Andrä-Höch would then be cut off.
Krainer: “However, we have a concept for short-term emergency care. The special pipes for this have already been arranged and would be installed in about half a day.” This also reassures mayor Josef Fischer van Kitzeck, who spoke on Wednesday afternoon about stabilization of the affected slope. Hours later, the rain returned, reminding everyone that all was not yet safe in sight.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
