The east of Austria is one of the regions with the lowest rainfall in the country. Given rising temperatures and longer dry periods, the challenges are likely to increase in the future. Therefore want Water Minister Norbert Totschnig, State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner and State Governor Hans Peter Doskozil pull together and develop solution strategies for the use and security of water resources in the eastern region. On Monday, September 2, 2024, the Memorandum of Understanding was signed.
“Austria is a water-rich country and my goal is that it stays that way. We have to expect that, in addition to more and more frequent storms, there will also be more dry periods in eastern Austria. That’s why we will develop long-term and solid solutions for the low-precipitation regions in the east of Lower Austria and northern Burgenland. The drinking water supply is my top priority. In addition, we also need enough water for our supply of local food. We want to sustainably secure sensitive ecosystems and unique habitats, such as Lake Neusiedl or the soda lakes in Seewinkel, for future generations. With this agreement in principle, together with Lower Austria and Burgenland, we are laying the foundation for securing water resources in eastern Austria. We will now comprehensively examine and develop various solution strategies for their ecological, social and economic impacts for the benefit of everyone.”so Federal Minister Norbert Totschnig on the occasion of the signing.
The study “Austria’s Water Treasure” published in 2021 by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management has impressively shown that sustainable water availability is of great importance in eastern Austria. In addition to that of Federal Minister Norbert Totschnig The agreement in principle that has now been signed is intended to make a significant contribution to this.
State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner: “Water is life. We can consider ourselves lucky that we have sufficient amounts of clean water available in Lower Austria. We must handle this treasure responsibly, and that is what we are doing: the drinking water supply in Lower Austria is secure. We can cover all of our drinking water needs now and in the near future. And to ensure that it stays that way in the long term, we agreed in advance of the basic agreement with Burgenland on the need for supra-regional water pipes. We want to plan supra-regional supply lines to supply Danube water to the low-precipitation areas in the east north and south of the Danube so that the various water needs of the future can be met sustainably. In order to advance this project in the coming years, we have signed the joint declaration of intent. Joint implementation concepts and financing approaches should now be developed. I am pleased about this forward-looking collaboration.”
From Burgenland’s perspective, the agreement in principle is seen as an important signal of commonality on a future issue for the entire East – especially with the aim of planning a supply of Danube water to the eastern region in Lower Austria south of the Danube and to northern Burgenland. “In the last few months there has been a very constructive exchange at expert level between the two federal states on the basic agreement, including with the involvement of experts from the Ministry of Agriculture. We agree on the national and international importance of unique habitats such as Lake Neusiedl or the soda lakes of the Seewinkel. “We are therefore united by the goal that measures are needed to secure water resources in eastern Austria due to climate change and to secure precisely these habitats,” so State Governor Hans Peter Doskozil: “In Burgenland we can already rely on detailed and well-founded studies on the question of supply and the compatibility of Danube water. We should therefore strive to tackle the necessary planning steps and coordination quickly. Because we won’t be able to find an effective stop button for climate change any time soon.”
These are positive for the Burgenland State Infrastructure Council Heinrich Dorner also the stated goals in the field of agriculture: “The priorities in the memorandum also correspond to our plans, especially when it comes to adapting agriculture to changing climatic conditions through appropriate forms of management and crop types and the economical use of water as a resource.”
Develop management scenarios together
The basic agreement aims to develop comprehensive management strategies that take regional needs into account as well as savings potential and improvement opportunities. This initiative aims to address the challenges of climate change and ensure the sustainable use of water resources in the affected region. A particular focus is on adapting agriculture to changing climatic conditions and on using the valuable resource water sparingly in order to ensure food security even during longer dry periods. Further measures include the development of a supra-regional water infrastructure and ensuring agricultural production through irrigation. The planning takes into account the respective water management conditions, such as the size and fertility of the existing groundwater bodies, the drainage conditions of the rivers, existing water-dependent terrestrial ecosystems and lakes, as well as existing water uses and water supply infrastructure. The top priority is sustainable drinking water supply. The first supra-regional project is to jointly develop the supply of Danube water to the eastern region in Lower Austria south of the Danube and to northern Burgenland as part of a feasibility study. The agreement underlines the commitment of both the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management as well as the federal states of Lower Austria and Burgenland, with the aim of sustainable water management for this region.
“Valid forecasts say that we will have to protect our groundwater bodies in the future and stabilize the groundwater balance. In addition to securing the drinking water supply in the long term and ensuring food security, I am concerned with preserving and improving the important wet habitats in Lower Austria. I see this agreement as the starting signal for important climate change adaptation projects that also have nature conservation and biodiversity in mind. Austria is faced with the challenging task of implementing the EU Renaturation Regulation to protect all of our livelihoods. Projects based on the current agreement should make a significant contribution to this,” like that Lower Austrian environmental lawyer Thomas Hansmann.