After the "deluge"

Around 7000 citizens still have to boil water

Around 7000 Upper Austrians have to boil their water or use mineral water, as here in Großraming.

(Bild: Pressefoto Scharinger © Daniel Scharinger)

After the intensive rainfall, bacteria can still be found in some places in Upper Austria. 13 municipalities are affected. 7000 people can only use boiled water. 

Good and bad news from the ground. Due to the torrential rainfall two weeks ago, the water was washed into the ground too quickly, the natural filtering effect of the soil was impaired and the tap water was therefore contaminated with bacteria in some places.

Precautionary measure
For this reason, more than 9,000 people in Upper Austria were called upon to boil their tap water before drinking it at the beginning of the week, as reported. A precautionary measure against possible stomach and intestinal complaints.

The good news: 
In three out of 13 affected municipalities - the drinking water was not undrinkable in the whole town, but only at individual supply facilities - the problem has now been solved. In Gutau, the control samples showed drinking water quality again, in St. Martin/Innkreis the affected settlements are supplied with water from Aurolzmünster and in Sandl there is also a green light for the tap water.

The bad news: 
 New contamination has occurred at supply points in three municipalities, as a "Krone" inquiry to the office of Provincial Councillor for the Environment Stefan Kaineder (Greens) shows, namely in St. Lorenz, Roitham am Traunfall and Oberneukirchen. This means that a total of 7000 Upper Austrians are still required to boil water.