Safe water in Austria: notices, drought and what to store

Short answer. Austria draws all its tap water from groundwater and springs, and suppliers must have it tested regularly ¹³. If it becomes unsafe, the notice comes locally: Phaenyx found no national list of boil-water orders. Store at least 2.5 litres of water and other drinks per person per day, for 14 days ⁴⁵. About 10% of people use a private well, which they must check themselves ¹.

How do I know if my tap water is unsafe?

Water suppliers must have the water they deliver tested at regular intervals, and only authorised bodies such as AGES may do the testing ¹. Official control is the job of the Landeshauptmann (the head of each state government) and trained inspectors ¹.

Phaenyx found no national register of boil-water orders (Abkochgebote) for Austria. Expect the notice from your municipality or your water supplier, and keep their contact details with your emergency papers. How official warnings reach you is explained on our Austria alerts page.

To see recent test results for your area, trinkwasserinfo.at lets you search by postcode; the data is supplied voluntarily by local suppliers, so your supplier may not be listed ².

If you are told to boil water or not to drink it, follow the local instruction. See What to do during a boil-water notice and Do-not-drink notices.

How much water should I store?

At least 2.5 litres of water and other drinks per person per day, according to the Interior Ministry and the Land Tyrol, and enough supplies for 14 days ⁴⁵. For a family of four that is 140 litres. Full figures, including the Civil Protection Association's list, are on our Austria emergency supplies page. For storage and rotation, see How much water to store per person per day? and Water storage containers.

Is Austria short of water?

Not in normal years, but dry summers bring local limits. The Agriculture Ministry (BMLUK) says Austria has a secure drinking-water supply, yet in summer 2026 regional and temporary shortages were possible when many people used large amounts at once, and municipalities could restrict garden watering or filling pools ³. About 92% of the population is served by public supplies, through around 5,500 water suppliers ³.

In WRI's Aqueduct 4.0 model, the population-weighted median of Austrian cities is in the "low" category for water stress today and in the 2050 business-as-usual projection, but "medium" for drought risk ⁶. These are city medians: a given town can sit higher or lower.

Phaenyx found no national page listing current water restrictions; watering bans are set by municipalities ³. In a dry spell, the ministry suggests simple savings: showers instead of baths, turning off the tap while soaping or brushing teeth, fixing dripping taps and running washing machines only when full ³. See Drought preparedness.

What if I have a private well?

Private wells and springs, which supply about 10% of Austrians, fall outside public control. Owners must, in their own interest, have the water quality and the condition of the well checked regularly themselves ¹. AGES tests water for private well owners among others ¹. If a well may be contaminated, see Private well emergencies.

What should I do after a flood?

Follow the instructions of your municipality or water supplier, and see Water safety after a flood. A household plan can keep your water stock, local contacts and warning channels in one place.

Frequently asked questions

Who checks tap water in Austria?

Suppliers must have their water tested by authorised bodies such as AGES; official control lies with each Landeshauptmann ¹.

Where can I see my tap water's test results?

On trinkwasserinfo.at, by postcode, if your supplier provides its data there ².

Can my town ban garden watering?

Yes. In summer 2026, municipalities could restrict garden watering or filling pools when needed ³.

How much water for two weeks?

At least 2.5 litres per person per day, or 35 litres per person for 14 days ⁴⁵.