Austria groundwater levels hit historic lows due to drought

Groundwater levels in Austria have reached historic minimums at 36 out of 227 monitored stations, according to an analysis by Greenpeace. The most significant declines were recorded in Styria, Upper Austria, and Lower Austria, with Vorarlberg also experiencing record lows in certain districts.

The environmental crisis follows a period of prolonged drought and a summer that was 2.7 degrees Celsius warmer than the 1991–2020 average. Precipitation during the summer months was approximately 32 percent lower than usual, compounding the effects of a dry winter and spring.

Greenpeace has called for urgent action, including the implementation of a national water strategy, an accelerated water withdrawal register, and a levy on large industrial water consumers to secure long-term drinking water supplies. The organization warned that the situation could worsen if the upcoming winter fails to provide sufficient rain and snow.