100% Clean Drinking Water from Austria’s Nature
Austria: The “land of water” among Alpine countries
Thanks to ample rainfall, the mighty Alps and numerous natural reservoirs in the mountains, Austria is a true paradise for water. The country is famous for its many clear lakes, rivers and streams – a pure “land of water”.
Clean drinking water is a particularly valuable treasure, carefully protected in Austria. It comes entirely from safeguarded groundwater sources – a rarity when compared internationally. But this high quality doesn’t happen by chance: Austria places great importance on protecting this vital resource. The water reaches households in its natural state, with outstanding quality.
Strict food safety laws, consumer protection measures and the Drinking Water Ordinance all ensure it remains safe for consumption. Regions across Austria also have to carefully monitor their water supplies – for example, bathing lakes are checked regularly.
Drinking water straight from the tap
In Austria, you can enjoy fresh, clean tap water in every region! Drinking tap water is also environmentally friendly – it reduces plastic waste and avoids transport emissions.
Natural mineral water from Austria
In the Alpine foothills – including Salzburg, Upper Austria and Lower Austria – and in the heart of the Alps, deep underground basins have formed over thousands of years, storing vast reserves of mineral water.
But how can we be sure that high-quality “natural mineral water” ends up on our tables? In Austria, it must come from protected underground sources and receive official recognition. This is governed by the Mineral and Spring Water Ordinance and overseen by the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection. Purity, origin and composition are all examined. Only after passing these tests can it be sold as “natural mineral water”.
A source of health
Vienna’s high spring water is famous – ice-cold, pure and straight from the mountains. But just 150 years ago, things looked very different: polluted well water in the city led to disease and high mortality.
Eduard Suess, a 19th-century scientist, geologist and politician, searched for a way to provide the urban population with clean water. He concluded that the springs had to lie well outside the city to ensure cleanliness. On the Schneeberg and the Rax mountains in Lower Austria, Suess found the solution. With their untouched catchment areas in the high Alps, they guaranteed clean water.
The water was channelled from the mountains to the city over a distance of around 100 km. In 1873, the First Vienna Mountain Spring Pipeline was opened for the World Exhibition – today you can walk along it on the First Vienna Water Pipeline Trail. From that moment on, Vienna had access to first-class spring water. Even Emperor Franz Joseph I personally honoured the scientist. The Second Mountain Spring Pipeline followed in 1910, bringing water from the unspoilt Hochschwab region in Styria.
Hiking to Austria’s 6 most beautiful water sources
Austria's bathing lakes with excellent water quality
Climate Protection Tips
Drinking water is precious – even when you're on holiday! These simple tips help prevent pollutants from entering the water cycle:
Don’t dispose of food scraps, oil or hygiene products down the toilet – use general or hazardous waste bins instead.
Never flush old medicines down the toilet or sink – pharmacies will take them back at any time.
Use chemicals sparingly.
Only empty chemical toilets from camper vans at designated disposal points.