Vorarlberg audit reveals discrepancies in municipal water and sewage fees

An audit by the Vorarlberg Court of Audit has revealed significant discrepancies in water and sewage fees across the 96 municipalities in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg. The report indicates that several municipalities are failing to perform detailed and legally compliant cost calculations when determining these rates.

Substantial price variations were noted between neighboring areas. For instance, a two-person household in Klaus faces annual costs of 582 Euro, compared to 551 Euro in Ludesch and 453 Euro in Schwarzach. The Court of Audit noted that these differences cannot be entirely explained by objective local conditions alone.

The Vorarlberg Municipal Association has rejected allegations of arbitrary pricing, stating that infrastructure costs vary significantly based on a municipality’s structure, topography, and the level of urban sprawl. However, the State Ombudsman has received numerous complaints from citizens who find the basis for these charges unclear and difficult to understand.