Gaishorn am See shuts off drinking water at night – first municipality in Austria to take such a measure

Haberl made an urgent appeal to the residents: "Bitte verwenden Sie Trinkwasser ausschließlich für lebensnotwendige Zwecke. Reduzieren Sie den Verbrauch auf das absolut notwendige Mindestmaß." In addition, watering gardens, filling pools, washing cars, and spraying lawns are prohibited until further notice.

Fire department secures emergency supply

The Gaishorn Volunteer Fire Department states that it ensures someone can be reached around the clock in emergencies to immediately restore the water supply. Existing operational plans for fires also remain in effect. "Die Freiwillige Feuerwehr betont, dass im Ernstfall jederzeit Wasser zur Verfügung gestellt werden könne." Should a larger operation become necessary, tanker fire trucks from surrounding municipalities would provide support, it said.

According to the available information, Gaishorn am See is likely the first municipality in Austria to have to shut off public drinking water in this manner. Even long-standing members of the fire department could not, according to their statements, recall a comparably long dry period. Restrictions are also being introduced in other regions of Europe – such as bans on filling private pools or washing cars.

Drought also affects neighboring municipality of Trieben

The ongoing drought is increasing the pressure on water supply throughout Austria. Austria recorded significantly less precipitation than usual in the first half of 2026, and the water levels of many bodies of water are unusually low.

The immediate neighboring municipality of Trieben is also affected. Mayor Klaus-Emmerich Herzmaier pointed out that spring yields there have also declined sharply – citing the lack of precipitation and the absence of snowmelt in spring as causes. "In der benachbarten Gemeinde Trieben sind die Quellschüttungen ebenfalls stark zurückgegangen."

Rising costs and new pipelines

In order to continue supplying individual districts, an additional water pipeline had to be laid in Trieben. "Dort musste bereits eine zusätzliche Wasserleitung verlegt werden, um die Versorgung einzelner Ortsteile sicherzustellen." The development of new water sources costs up to 140,000 euros in Trieben.

Herzmaier also announced rising costs for water supply. "Deshalb wird dort sogar über höhere Wassergebühren nachgedacht." The developments in the region show how strongly the drought has already impacted municipal infrastructure.

Outlook: When will there be water again?

The nighttime shutdown in Gaishorn am See is intended to ensure that the elevated tanks refill overnight and that the population can continue to be supplied with drinking water during the day. The nighttime shutdown is thus an emergency measure to maintain ongoing operations until sufficient precipitation falls again.

Whether and when the measure can be lifted remains open. As long as precipitation stays away, the situation in Upper Styria remains tense – and Gaishorn am See could, at least temporarily, serve as a warning signal for other municipalities in Austria.