Water emergency! Anyone filling a pool will face a hefty fine.
A severe drinking water shortage has prompted authorities in Litzelsdorf in Austria's Burgenland state to introduce strict measures, warning residents that anyone filling a swimming pool with drinking water could face a €500 fine.
The ongoing heatwave has significantly reduced local drinking water supplies, leading the Wassergenossenschaft (Water Cooperative) to closely monitor water consumption. Officials say every report of unusually high water use will be investigated individually, and residents with excessive consumption may face penalties.
According to Peter Fassl, chairman of the water cooperative, members have both rights and responsibilities when it comes to using drinking water. He stressed that filling large tanks or swimming pools with drinking water during the current shortage is unacceptable. However, he clarified that residents watering a small vegetable garden responsibly will not be punished.
Authorities explained that penalties are aimed at households whose water consumption far exceeds normal domestic needs. Anyone who ignores the ban and fills a pool with drinking water can receive a €500 fine, while repeated or particularly serious cases of water waste could even lead to exclusion from the local Wassergenossenschaft (Water Cooperative).
The local fire brigade has backed the restrictions, urging residents to avoid watering gardens, filling pools and any unnecessary use of drinking water. Officials warned that conserving water is essential not only to guarantee safe drinking water supplies but also to ensure enough water remains available for firefighting and other emergencies as the drought continues.