Already the ancient Romans had spring water channelled and transported from the area south of today’s Vienna to their military camp Vindobona. At the time, the minimum daily delivery volume was approx. 5,000 cubic metres.

~1600: Private wells

In that period, the population’s drinking water supply was ensured by means of private wells.

1565: Hernals water pipeline

The “Hernals water pipeline” transported 1,500 cubic metres of water from today’s 17th municipal district of Vienna to the well-house in Hoher Markt square. In addition, water was available at public wells or sold from big wooden barrels by so-called “water-men” and “water-women”.

1804: Duke Albert water pipeline

The “Duke Albert water pipeline” was the first step towards a large-scale solution of Vienna’s water supply problems. It led from the village of Hütteldorf to the city and supplied four suburbs with spring water.

1841: Emperor Ferdinand water pipeline

The construction of the “Emperor Ferdinand water pipeline” created the first extensive pipeline network that also permitted transporting water to suburban residential buildings. However, this water was of low quality and caused diseases and epidemics.

12 Juli 1864: Resolution to build the 1st Spring water main

On the basis of proposals made by the geologist Professor Eduard Suess, the City Council passed a resolution to build a spring water main originating in the Rax-Schneeberg area.

1869 – 1873: Construction and inauguration of the 1st Spring water main

Construction of the 90 km pipeline from Kaiserbrunn to Vienna; construction of the first water reservoirs as well as of the municipal pipeline network of Vienna. 24 October 1873: Solemn inauguration of the 1st Spring water main by Emperor Francis Joseph; the same day, the monumental fountain “Hochstrahlbrunnen” with its many water jets was taken into operation in Vienna’s Schwarzenbergplatz square.

1898 – 1899: Construction of the Favoriten Water Tower

Before completion of the 2nd Spring water main, this water tower supplied the high-lying sections of two large municipal districts. It was taken out of operation in 1956.

1900 – 1910: Construction and inauguration of the 2nd Spring water main

Construction of the 180 km pipeline from Wildalpen in Styria to Vienna. 2 December 1910: Solemn inauguration of the 2nd Spring water main by Emperor Francis Joseph at Vienna City Hall.

1964 – 1966: Construction of the Lobau waterwork

This waterwork is situated within the nature protection zone and national park of the Danube wetlands and abstracts bank-filtered water. Until 1988, its purpose was the continuous water supply of the municipal districts located close to the river Danube. Today the Lobau waterwork is mainly taken into operation to absorb peak loads or during maintenance and repairs of the spring water mains.

1986 – 1988: Construction of the Pfannbauern spring pipeline

The water of the “Pfannbauern spring” is conducted into the 1st Spring water main by means of a 21 km pressure pipe.

1970 – 1995: Pipeline network rehabilitation

Vienna’s pipeline network is over 125 years old and more than 3,200 km long. For the past 25 years, it has therefore become necessary to replace approx. 30 km of this network annually in order to reduce leakages. Due to the reduced leakage rate, all municipal districts of Vienna can be supplied exclusively with mountain spring water.

1998: Moosbrunn waterwork taken into operation

After a time-consuming examination of various legal issues, the Moosbrunn waterwork finally obtained a license under water law in the spring of 1998. Exactly like the Lobau waterwork, its purpose is to absorb peak loads.
(Source: Vienna Waterworks Municipal Department 31)

Information & Contact:
Municipal Department 31 - Vienna Waterworks
Grabnergasse 4-6
A-1060 Vienna
Tel. +43 1 599 59-0
Fax +43 1 599 59-99-31 400