Water Law in Austria

Austrian water law is the result of more than a century of legal development. Water has always played a vital role — both as a resource for drinking water supply and other uses, and as a source of hydraulic power, particularly for energy generation. Settlement activities and economic operations can lead to water pollution on the one hand, but also require protection against flood risks on the other. To safeguard water resources for future generations, ecological requirements for water bodies are becoming increasingly important. Austrian water law regulates all these aspects, and much can only be fully understood with knowledge of the historical development of its provisions.

What we do: We advise and represent clients in all water law permitting procedures — whether for hydropower projects, water supply facilities, wastewater discharges into water bodies, indirect discharges into sewer systems, river (de)regulation measures, flood protection projects, or gravel extraction operations. You can also rely on our expertise in cases involving soil or groundwater contamination.