In 13 municipalities in Upper Austria, tap water is currently undrinkable due to increased bacteria counts. More than 9,000 people are affected and have been asked to boil their water. The reason for the contamination is heavy rainfall – an expert explains why.
“Attention: Drinking water is polluted!” Currently, 13 municipalities are warning in one way or another not to drink from the tap and are calling for the water to be boiled first. As reported, the problem first became known in Großraming, where residents of around 600 houses even stand by the stove to boil water before brushing their teeth.
Mühlviertel was hit hardest
The bacterially contaminated water can cause stomach and intestinal problems, the warnings are precautionary. With nine communities, the Mühlviertel is the hardest hit. But also in St. Martin im Innkreis, Oberndorf near Schwanenstadt and Alkoven the drinking water is undrinkable. In total, more than 9,000 people are affected, most of them in Großraming (1900) and Gutau (1850).
How Rain Pollutes Tap Water
The reason for this is the heavy rainfall, which recently caused devastating flooding and is now causing problems again. “The most important purification of the water takes place in the humus topsoil,” explains Christian Kneidinger, head of the drinking and wastewater group in the state of Upper Austria. “The longer the water stands there, the more time it has to be cleaned and filtered. “But the more it rains, the faster it has to flow through and the lower the filter effect,” says the expert.
His comparison: “If I continuously water a piece of soil with a can, the pores in the subsoil fill with water and move further because water wants to flow in from above.”
For environmental councillor Stefan Kaineder (Greens), the climate crisis is a challenge for the water supply.
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.
