Some Vienna's sewers date back to the 19th century. At the time, the system was a groundbreaking novelty and the only of its kind in Europe. Vienna aims at continuing this tradition with its new Wastewater disposal and water protection project, under which approximately 1 billion EUR (ATS 13 billion) will be spent on new construction, modification and renewal until 2015.
The Simmering central wastewater treatment plant: Even more efficient in the future
More than 500.000 m3 of wastewater are treated here per day. Through some modifications and new technologies, the degree of purification will be pushed up from 85% at present to 95% in the future. In addition, nitrogen will also be removed from the wastewater. This will improve the water quality of both the Danube Canal and the Danube itself and will help to lastingly safeguard the habitats of fish ans aquatic plants.
The river Wien: More capacity for main collectors
Heavy rainfall frequently causes the two main collectors along the river Wien to overflow. To remedy this situation, a relief sewer channelling the sewage via an additional main collector directly to the central wastewater treatment plant will be built in the Wien's riverbed. The banks of the river Wien can then be redesigned for use as a recreational area with green zones, a promenade and bicycle paths.
Danube Canal: No pollution during maintance work
Once a year, the two main collectors along the Danube Canal have to be cleaned to remove any accumulated deposits. The old problem: during the cleaning operation, the wastewater was discharged directly into the Danube Canal. The new solution: pressure pipes along the bridges crossing the Danube Canal. With the help of pumps, the wastewater can be alternately diverted through these pipes during maintance work, but also if the collector is overloaded. The Danube Canal stays free of wastewater.
Liesing River: Seperation of wastewater and Rainwater
As a new sewer will provide a direct connection to the central treatment plant in Simmering, the Blumental treatment plant will be closed down. Rainwater from the Liesing catchment area will also be channelled to the central treatment plant in the future. This will allow a restoration of the Liesing River to its near-natural state, with greens along both banks.
Sewage system: Renewal and expansion
About 10% - or about 200 km ? of Vienna's sewers are scheduled for renovation work in the coming years. In the inner-city area, the renewal measures have been underway for some years already.
In addition, there is repair and maintance work to be done along the main collectors, and new sewers must be built industrial and commercial sites, or to make way for Vienna's expanding underground transport system. Under the expansion programme, all households situated on land classified as suitable for building will eventually be fully connected to the sewage system.
The current focal points are the fringe zones and small weekend cottage zones in the 11th, 21st and 22nd districts. (Source: MD 30)
| Consulting for Businesses |
| Industrial and commercial businesses have to obtain discharge permits to be able to channel wastewater into the sewage system. The aim of this policy is to enforce ecological standards for the protection of the environment. Queries are answered by the staff of the service telephone line of the Municipal Department 30, Phone +43 1 617 47 83 |
Information & Contact:
Municipal Department 30 - Vienna Sewerage
Modecenterstrasse 14
A-1030 Vienna
Phone +43 1 79 514?93 043
Fax +43 1 79 514?79 30
