Austria's Tap Water: Safe For Drinking?

Austria has some of the cleanest tap water in the world, which is safe to drink. The water is subjected to stringent guidelines and regulations, and it comes from ground and spring water sources, often directly from the mountains. It is clear, odourless, and has a pleasant taste. In fact, the tap water in Vienna is of such high quality that it is comparable to mineral water.

Tap water in Austria is safe to drink

Austria has some of the cleanest tap water in the world, and it is safe to drink. In fact, it is considered rude to order tap water in restaurants and cafes, and you may be charged a high serving fee for it. Instead, you can ask for still mineral water ("Mineralwasser ohne Kohlensäure"). Interestingly, traditional cafes will serve coffee with a glass of tap water, free of charge.

Almost 100% of Austria's tap water comes from ground and spring water, which is sourced from the Styrian/Lower Austrian Alps. This water is subject to the stringent guidelines of the Austrian Drinking Water Ordinance, which ensures access to clean and safe drinking water. The water cannot contain any pathogenic microorganisms and must contain a minimum concentration of minerals. It also has no measurable pesticide residues.

Where Does Austrian Tap Water Come From?

The tap water in Vienna, Austria's capital, comes directly from the mountains in two pipelines from the areas around Schneeberg, Rax, Schneealpe and Hochschwab. The first pipeline was opened in 1873, and the second in 1910. The water is not pumped but flows to the city via gravity, producing clean hydroelectric power along the way.

Austrian tap water is described as crystal clear, odorless, and great-tasting. It often comes out of the tap incredibly cold due to the cold climate and Alpine source.

It's considered rude to order tap water in Austria

Tap water in Austria is considered safe to drink. The water is guaranteed to be safe as it is governed by the stringent guidelines of the Austrian Drinking Water Ordinance. It is also subjected to the country's clean drinking water laws, which treat it as a necessity for life. The water is free of pathogenic microorganisms and contains a minimum concentration of essential minerals. It is also odourless and has no measurable pesticide residues.

Despite the high quality of tap water in Austria, ordering it in restaurants is generally considered rude. This is because some landlords have been known to charge high serving fees for providing tap water. However, by law, a price must be given for every item sold, including tap water, so requesting to see the menu can help avoid unexpected charges. To avoid the issue altogether, it is recommended to order still mineral water ("Mineralwasser ohne Kohlensäure") or buy bottled water from a supermarket. Interestingly, traditional cafes in Austria will often serve coffee with a complimentary glass of tap water.

Some travellers have reported that they have never had an issue ordering tap water in Austrian restaurants and have never been charged for it. However, others have noted that only a small number of establishments in Vienna offer tap water for free. It seems that the context of the dining situation may also play a role, with tap water being more acceptable during coffee or breakfast than during a nice dinner.

It is worth noting that bringing your own water bottle to a restaurant in Austria is generally considered rude, and it is better to order tap water or purchase bottled water instead.

Bottled water is bad for the environment

Tap water in Austria is safe to drink. It is clean, healthy, crystal clear, and odourless, and it tastes great. It is also safe for tourists, who often have no issues drinking the tap water in hotels, apartments, and restaurants. In fact, it is considered rude to order tap water in Austria.

However, despite the safety and pleasant taste of tap water in Austria, many Austrians still buy bottled water. This is surprising, given that bottled water is terrible for the environment.

The production of bottled water requires a significant amount of resources, notably oil and energy, which contributes to a high environmental footprint. For example, the US uses over 17 million barrels of oil annually to produce water bottles, equivalent to the annual fuel needs of 1.3 million cars. The water bottling process also releases 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year, contributing to global warming.

The plastic bottles used for bottled water are also an issue. While they are technically recyclable, most people don't recycle them, leading to waste and litter. In the US, 86% of disposable water bottles become garbage or litter, adding 38 billion bottles to landfills each year. Many of these bottles end up in the ocean, killing 1.1 million marine creatures annually. Even when plastic bottles are recycled, they are often down-cycled into fabric, rugs, and clothing, rather than being made into new bottles. This means that new bottles require more crude oil, the extraction of which releases greenhouse gases and additional toxins into the environment.

Bottled water is also not as safe as tap water. Studies have shown that bottled water is often contaminated with microplastics and toxic chemicals that leak into the water from the plastic packaging. In contrast, tap water is subject to stringent guidelines and continuous regulation to ensure its safety.

Therefore, instead of buying bottled water, it is better for the environment to use a reusable water bottle and fill it with tap water.

Tap water in Vienna is high quality

Tap water in Vienna is high-quality mineral water that comes directly from the Styrian and Lower Austrian Alps. The water is so clean that it meets the stringent guidelines of the Austrian Drinking Water Ordinance. It is safe to drink, crystal clear, odourless, and tastes great. It is also incredibly cold as it comes from the mountains and Austria has a cold climate.

The tap water in Vienna is so clean that it is safe to drink anywhere in the city, including hotels, apartments, public toilets, restaurants, and Airbnbs. In fact, it is healthier to drink than bottled water, which is often contaminated with microplastics and toxic chemicals. The tap water in Vienna is also better than the tap water in many areas of the U.S., where it can be contaminated with pathogens.

The high quality of Vienna's tap water is due to the fact that it comes from pristine Alpine areas of the country. The water supply comes almost exclusively through two direct pipelines from the mountains. These mountain areas are in water protection zones with no significant industry and few people. As a result, the tap water is low in nitrogen and has a high concentration of minerals, which are needed for the human body to function correctly.

Vienna's tap water is so good that the city was the first in the world to place drinking water under constitutional protection. The authorities take water quality very seriously, and the water is regulated by strict guidelines. The water is also pumped into the city without the need for pumps, as gravity does the job for them. This produces clean hydroelectric power.

In addition to having high-quality tap water, Vienna also has many drinking fountains and water-based cooling facilities in busy areas during hot periods. These facilities include mobile drinking fountains, as well as mist and water spraying devices designed to tackle urban heat.

Austrians still buy bottled water

Health and Wellness

The evolving health and wellness trend in Austria is expected to drive sales of bottled water, with consumers seeking out low-calorie, low-sugar, and sugar-free alternatives in flavoured water. People may be looking for healthier options to replace other soft drinks, and new flavour innovations in bottled water will likely attract consumers.

Convenience and Shopping Habits

Bottled water is predominantly purchased through supermarkets, as consumers value the large brand and product selections, frequent promotions, and access to new and seasonal products. Being able to buy bottled water during their regular grocery shopping trips is convenient for consumers. Additionally, the ability to return empty bottles during these trips is an added benefit that supports the supermarket channel in bottled water sales.

Perceived Safety and Taste Preferences

Some Austrians may perceive bottled water as safer and healthier than tap water, despite the stringent guidelines for tap water quality in Austria. Bottled water is often marketed as a pure and healthy option, which may influence consumers' choices. Additionally, some people may prefer the taste of bottled water, especially if they are used to drinking carbonated or flavoured water, which is commonly available in stores.

Dining and Social Norms

Ordering tap water in restaurants or cafes in Austria is generally considered rude, and some establishments may charge high serving fees for providing it. As a result, people often opt for bottled water when dining out or socialising. This social norm discourages the consumption of tap water in public places, contributing to the demand for bottled water.

Environmental Concerns

While bottled water is known to have a significant environmental impact, some consumers may be unaware or unconcerned about this issue. They may not realise that bottled water is often contaminated with microplastics and toxic chemicals that can leak from plastic packaging. Therefore, they may not see the environmental benefit of choosing tap water over bottled water.

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