Drinking water supply in Achberg: urgent need for action recognized

Drinking water supply in Achberg: urgent need for action recognized

The drinking water supply in the Achberg district is critical. The Traunstein district office has reacted alarmed after it has been found that the existing regulations for the water supply will no longer be observed. In view of the proven existence of faecal germs in raw water, the drinking water must currently be chlorinated, which violates the requirements of the Infection Protection Act.

Die Unsicherheit über die Trinkwasserqualität hat nun zu einer dringlichen Forderung des Gesundheitsamts geführt. The local water procurement association is asked to submit a renovation concept as soon as possible to ensure the safe water supply for citizens. Ohne Maßnahmen drohen dem Verband Zwangsmittel als Druckmittel zur Umsetzung dieser Vorgaben.

Klage bringt Planungen ins Stocken

In May 2022, the water procurement association decided to join the water supply of the municipality of Schlechting, which meant that the association should be dissolved. This measure was approved in May 2024, but a citizen from Achberg filed a lawsuit against this decision on time. These legal disputes mean that all plans have to be stopped until a legally binding decision.

The time span to the legal procedures is long and can take up to seven years, which further exacerbates the critical situation of water supply. However, the district office has underlined that the condition of the drinking water supply is no longer acceptable. Der Verband muss bis Ende September eine Lösung präsentieren.

Vorgeschlagene Lösungen und finanzielle Herausforderungen

The authority proposed two possible approaches to renovation: either a connection to a safe drinking water supply system by the end of 2025 - an option that is hardly feasible under the current circumstances - or the processing of the water from the existing source systems. The latter option would require a comprehensive two-stage filtration and UV disinfection, with a specified date by December 31, 2024 for implementation.

The assembly of the water procurement association, led by Martin Plenk, emphasized the need to follow the orders of the district office in order to avoid compulsory means. However, the implementation of the proposed steps also brings financial burdens that must be borne by the citizens. Plenk explained that three decisive steps are necessary: a feasibility study, design planning and the tender of the necessary construction work.

In der Versammlung wurde ebenfalls die finanzielle Lage des Wasserbeschaffungsverbands angesprochen. The association has a total of 24,000 euros, and special contributions are to be charged to cover these debts. Die Mitglieder stimmten für eine Einmalzahlung von 400 Euro sowie einen weiteren Sonderbeitrag von 500 Euro für das Jahr 2024.

Furthermore, it was decided to increase the basic fee from 120 to 220 euros and to raise the consumption price per cubic meter of water to 1.78 euros. Diese Maßnahmen wurden mit überwältigender Mehrheit angenommen, wobei nur eine Gegenstimme registriert wurde.

At the end of the meeting, Mayor Josef Loferer contributed to appeasing the discussion by praising the excellent work of the managing director Martin Plenk and asked for more respect for the work done. This was appealed to those present and underlined the need to a certain extent uniform efforts to solve the problems of water supply.