Southern Lower Austria suffers – too little water: thermal baths as new beach

The Steinfeld currently lives up to its name. The groundwater lakes around Wiener Neustadt are more like the gravel pits they used to be than popular water parks. And in neighboring Bad Fischau, the thermal baths have also been converted into a lido this year – in the so-called ladies’ pool, sand and gravel have piled up due to lack of water.

“Only one source is active, two have dried up,” Mayor Reinhard Knobloch confirmed to APA. A geological survey should clarify the causes. Due to the lower flow rate, the men’s pool has to be cleaned more often. Switching to chlorinated water is not yet a problem. “Seasonal tickets were reduced this year, bringing record sales,” says Knobloch.

Bad predictions
As reported, the levels of Anemonensee, Föhrensee and Achtersee in Wiener Neustadt have dropped several meters. The consequences: The inhabitants of the once coveted lakeside settlements overlook lakes and the steps to the bathing areas end in gravel embankments. Dredging sometimes tries to get the problem under control. “A stable ecosystem requires a depth of three meters or the water quality will suffer,” said Martin Angelmaier, head of the state’s water management department.

The root of the problem is the low water table in the region. And to increase it, precipitation is needed, the expert says: “And that is even, not too heavy land rain. Moreover, there is enough snow in winter.” Both are far too rare – probably due to climate change The bleak forecast for eastern Lower Austria: ten percent less groundwater formation in 2050!