Boil-off order

Water from 14 Mühlviertel municipalities contaminated

For the time being, tap water can only be drunk if it has been boiled beforehand(Bild: Pressefoto Scharinger © Daniel Scharinger)

Bacteria were found today in the drinking water of the 14 municipalities that are supplied with water from the Rodl well. Heavy rainfall after a long drought is suspected to be the cause of the well contamination. The water must now be boiled for at least three minutes for the time being.

Due to bacteriological contamination, tap water must now be boiled for at least three minutes in 14 municipalities in the Mühlviertel region. This affects the drinking water supply of the Mühlviertel district water association, which supplies the municipalities of Walding, Feldkirchen an der Donau, St. Gotthard, Herzogsdorf, Gramastetten, Eidenberg, Kirchschlag, Lichtenberg, Sonnberg, Hellmonsödt, Haibach im Mühlkreis, Altenberg, Alberndorf and Unterweitersdorf.

No drinking water quality
"Based on the results of drinking water samples taken today, it has become apparent that the water quality in the Rodl well is no longer suitable," announced the responsible provincial councillor Stefan Kaineder (Greens). As a result, drinking water quality is currently no longer guaranteed in parts of the supply network for the 14 municipalities mentioned.

The cause of the contamination is believed to be the massive rainfall in recent weeks following a very long dry phase. "The Fernwasserverband has already taken the contaminated Rodl well out of operation and switched to other unaffected and flawless wells and springs. This complete changeover will take a few more days," explains Kaineder.

More samples to be taken
The water board will continue to monitor the situation by taking additional samples and will inform the municipalities and affected water suppliers immediately of any new findings.