Solution: Planning of protected and conservation areas
Solution: Planning of protected and conservation areas
Planning of protected and conservation areas
Planning of protected and conservation areas
Planning of protected and conservation areas
Water protection areas serve to prevent negative impacts on drinking water. The designation of a water protection area by the water authority is the most important prerequisite for the protection of a water extraction site. Depending on the type of water extraction (well or spring tapping) and local hazards, the expert determines official protection zones and individual requirements in the course of water law approvals.
At the (Austrian) national level, the Water Rights Act 1959 – WRG 1959, §34-§35 protects certain areas from the extraction of water from existing and planned water catchments for the purpose of supplying drinking and industrial water. For this reason, protection and conservation areas are designated.
The following requirements apply to all protection zones (valid in Austria):
- The corners of the protection zones must be marked with red-painted stones or pegs.
- The grassland or forest must be maintained and preserved.
- Information boards with the inscription “Water protection area, no pollution” must be installed at important locations (e.g., hiking trails and traffic routes).
Depending on the type of protected area, certain official requirements and prohibitions must be observed.
Water conservation areas
A water conservation area is usually a larger area declared as such by decree of the provincial governor (§ 34 Water Rights Act).






