Drinking water is conducted to the 32 water reservoirs situated all over Vienna by means of high-performance transport pipelines. These reservoirs serve to balance the varying quantities required by consumers in the city and at the same time provide a key resource in case of brief operation shutdowns. From the reservoirs, the drinking water is conducted into the distributing mains network. The water pressure in the pipeline network remains constant due to the altitude level of the individual water reservoirs.
Drinking water for all Viennese citizens
The pipeline network supplying consumers with drinking water is over 3,000 km long. The pipelines are laid at a minimum depth of 1.50 m. At the moment, roughly 100,000 buildings and properties are connected to the pipeline network, which means that practically all consumers have access to the public supply system.
Since the introduction of the Pfannbauern spring into the 1st Viennese Spring water main in 1988, the Vienna Waterworks have been supplying Vienna with mountain spring water the whole year through.
Water-related data
(Status: January 2000; Source: “Brief Annual Statistics for 2000” of the Vienna Waterworks)
Total length of public pipelines: 3,252 km
Total number of house mains: 99,986
Maximum daily consumption (20 June 2000): 564,760 m3
Minimum daily consumption (1 January 2000): 312,900 m3
Average daily consumption: 406,376 m3
The main pipeline system of the City of Vienna
The pipeline network is composed of several pressure zones, which result from the different height levels of the supply areas. The 1st Spring water main delivers water to the areas situated at low altitudes, in the chart shown in BLUE and VIOLET. The 2nd Spring water main supplies the higher zones marked in RED, GREEN, ORANGE, BROWN and YELLOW in the western part of Vienna. Those YELLOW areas where natural water pressure is insufficient need to be supplied via pumping stations. In all pressure zones, a constant water pressure of 3.5 bar is maintained.
Lead-free pipelines
For several decades already, the use of lead pipes for Vienna’s drinking water system has been prohibited. Moreover, the ongoing replacement of the lead pipes is supported by a special budget.
Leak prevention measures
In the early 1970s, the losses caused by pipeline leaks amounted to approx. 25 percent. To avoid the loss of so much precious drinking water, the Vienna Waterworks launched a comprehensive recovery programme. The pipelines are examined for leaks, pipes are replaced and defective materials repaired as soon as possible. As a result, losses have been cut down to currently eight to ten percent.
Rapid assistance in case of leakages
On an average, the stand-by repair teams are called to remedy defects and leakages ten times per day. Whenever a defective pipeline is discovered in the public water network, they are the first to arrive and repair the damage.
Quality checks for newly laid pipes
A construction site is blocking traffic, and yet there are no workmen in sight – is that really necessary? Yes, for any new pipeline, before being taken into operation, must be flushed; afterwards, the water is examined for compliance with specific quality criteria. In the meantime, the trench remains open and the construction site is left unmanned.
New technologies – fewer construction sites
In the past few years, pipeline-laying technologies have been markedly improved. In the past, every pipeline replacement necessitated a time- and cost-intensive construction site. The new methods of trenchless pipe-laying entail many advantages: fewer construction sites, less dust and noise; moreover, roads, parking lots and sidewalks continue to function during the rehabilitation work. (Source: Municipal Department 31 – Vienna Waterworks)
Information & Contact:
Municipal Department 31
- Vienna Waterworks
Grabnergasse 4-6
A-1060 Vienna
Tel. +43 1 599 59-0
