WP 5 Analysis of present IWRM practices - Brahmatwinn

Industrial centers are mostly located close to rivers due to their high water demand. These industrial
areas then establish an own water cycle: water is extracted, used, treated and discharged back into
the river. Industry in the area of the Salzach is mainly chemical industry which is concentrated in the
“Chemie-Dreieck”. The triangle consist of seven economic centers and altogether 25 enterprises with
25 000 employees. Alone at the station Burghausen in the Salzach basin work about 4000 employees
in 5 enterprises, 7 Mio.m 3 of water were extracted per year, and major part is coming from the Alz
River. Most water is used for cooling purposes. The energy demand is enormous in the region.
In the past the water quality was significant affected by the cellulose fabric in Hallein, but since 1999
a good water quality could be secured (Water quality class 2 – low pollution level following EU water
framework directive). (LAND SALZBURG 2009). A grave pollution has been observed in 1977 because of
the Cellulose fabric. Organizations like Greenpeace give high attention to water treatment in the
chemical industry area.
Today water uses are strictly monitored to avoid that they constitute a risk for environment or
human health. Nevertheless groundwater in Salzburg is endangered due to fertilizers and pesticides.
2.4 Related issues in the Lech basin
Largest city in the basin is Augsburg with more than 260 000 inhabitants. The entire agglomeration
Augsburg with a population of 500 000 is one of the most important economic centers in Bavaria. It is
very important for environmental technologies, as well as for information- and communication
technologies. About 20 Mio.m 3 water are needed in 2007 in Augsburg (STADTWERKE AUGSBURG 2007).
2.5 Challenges for IWRM
In the Danube river basin actually there are no problems in respect to water quantity and water
supply. With the instruction of the Main-Danube channel water is transferred to another river basin
to increase water availability there. But the Upper Danube is a glacier fed catchment and as a likely
climate change impact great glaciers will disappear in the next centuries and this will have an impact
on the runoff regime of the river. This may affect water users in the river basin.
Also water quality is basically in good condition. Waste water treatment is strictly regularized and
controlled in the countries of the Upper Danube river basin. Nevertheless risks are caused by diffuse
pollution sources coming from the agricultural sector in form of fertilizers and pesticides.
The International Commission of the Danube River Protection is a superior authority which considers
trans-boundary issues in the Danube and its riparian states.
Following issues summarize future challenges for the implementation of an IWRM:
• During the last 30 years decreasing water tables are observed (causes unknown).
• Decreasing water quality particularly due to agriculture and industry.
• Uncoordinated and heterogeneous local and international water laws and policies.
• Expected large landuse changes and increasing tourism expecting an “undisturbed” landscape.
• Increasing conflicts between different water users, particularly tourism-agriculture water suppliers.
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