Only 15 percent o.k.

Upper Austria advises against domestic wells

Clean, cool drinking water is a blessing, but it is usually better from the tap than from your own well.

(Bild: Dostal Harald)

Around 15 percent of the population, i.e. around 228,000 people in Upper Austria, still obtain their drinking water from around 90,000 private domestic wells. They do this "on their own responsibility", says the state of Upper Austria, as it actually advises against drinking water supplies from domestic wells. Only 15 percent have really good water.

There is a need for action for two reasons, as the responsible state councillor Stefan Kaineder (Greens) points out: "On the one hand, the ongoing climate crisis is also affecting the water cycle and therefore water resources. Domestic wells that are drying up are already a sad consequence. On the other hand, we know from the analysis results of the laboratory bus as part of our 'On the road for our drinking water' service, which has been running for 30 years, that the majority of domestic wells are not in a suitable structural condition or do not provide safe drinking water."

Only 15 percent are flawless
The test results from the lab bus back this up impressively. If the chemical, bacteriological and structural test results are analyzed together, it can be seen that just 15 percent of all domestic well systems are in perfect condition for a drinking water supply.

State supports shared supply
It is clear that a connection to a public water supply is not possible in all cases. But where it is possible and sensible, the state supports the expansion of shared public supply structures. Kaineder: "I would advise all Upper Austrians who are dependent on a domestic well system to make use of the offer from the province of Upper Austria. We would also like to point out that constant maintenance of a domestic well system is essential if you want to obtain clean drinking water."