Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                
SlideShare a Scribd company logo

Financing the water sector in Austria.pdf

•
•
OECD Environment
OECD Environment

Presented at the 11th roundtable on financing water in Brussels, Belgium on 30-31 May, 2024. Intervention by Günter Liebel, Former Secretary General, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management, Austria

Related slideshows

water issues.pptx
water issues.pptxwater issues.pptx
water issues.pptx
 
WATER INNOVATION SUMMIT 2023 | Sessione 6-Ciarlo
WATER INNOVATION SUMMIT 2023 | Sessione 6-Ciarlo WATER INNOVATION SUMMIT 2023 | Sessione 6-Ciarlo
WATER INNOVATION SUMMIT 2023 | Sessione 6-Ciarlo
 
WATER INNOVATION SUMMIT 2023 | Sessione 6-Sertoli
WATER INNOVATION SUMMIT 2023 | Sessione 6-SertoliWATER INNOVATION SUMMIT 2023 | Sessione 6-Sertoli
WATER INNOVATION SUMMIT 2023 | Sessione 6-Sertoli
 
1 of 19
Download to read offline
FINANCING THE WATER SECTOR IN AUSTRIA 11th Roundtable on Financing Water 30 and 31 May 2024 Brussels G.LIEBEL 1
A Water-Smart Society is one in which the value of water is recognised and realised to ensure water security, sustainability, and resilience; all available water sources are managed so that water scarcity and pollution are avoided; water and resource loops are largely closed to foster a circular economy and optimal resource efficiency; the water system is resilient against the impact of climate and demographic change; and all relevant stakeholders are engaged in guaranteeing sustainable water governance. WATER EUROPE`S DEFINITION OF A WATER SMART SOCIETY 2023 G.LIEBEL 2
CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTS ALL WATER RESOURCES AND USERS G.LIEBEL 3 Climate change due to human activities is responsible for an increase in water demand and extreme weather events in Europe, that means • Heavy precipitation and river floods • Aridity / Droughts • Fire weather • Hydro power and Nuclear Power under pressure • Drinking and Waste Water systems have to be evaluated and realigned • Agriculture and Forestry has to adopt in short time • Industry has to find new production methods ➢ A STRATIGIC PLAN FOR ALL WATER RESOURCS AND USERS INCLUDING FINANCING IS ESSENTIAL FOR A SECURE AND RESILLIANT WATER SYSTEM
G.LIEBEL 4 MAP SHOWS AREAS WITH ADDITIONAL WATER STRESS Source EEA 2022
MAIN EU WATER RELATED LEGISLATION • Water Framework Directive • Drinking Water Directive • Ground Water Directive • Nitrates Directive • Environmental Quality Standards Directive • Urban Wastewater Directive • Nature Restoration Law ? • RED II + III Directive- Repower Act • Industrial Emissions Directive • Bathing Water Directive • Floods Directive • Water Reuse Regulation • ………. G.LIEBEL 5
AUSTRIA´S WATER TREASURE • A new study was published to stimulate political debate about water ressources • Even for a water rich country like Austria it is essential to have a closer look at its water resources • The effects of climate change and socio-economic develpoments greatly impact the available water resources and the future water requirements • At the moment 100% of Austrias drinking water comes from groundwater (wells and springs) • Detailed data of water consumption are available for all sectors- exept for agriculture ➢ AUSTRIAS GROUNDWATER RESOURCES WILL DECREASE IN 2050 UP TO 23% DUE TO EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE G.LIEBEL 6
ACTUAL WATER DEMAND PER SECTOR/ GROUND + SURFACEWATER IN AUSTRIA G.LIEBEL 7 Austria : 9 Mio inhabitants and 84000 km2
WATER DEMAND WILL INCREASE TILL 2050 IN AUSTRIA G.LIEBEL 8
AUSTRIAN GROUNDWATERS RESOURCES WILL DECREASE IN 2050 G.LIEBEL 9 Reasons are Climate change and higher demand for drinking water and agriculture Austrias Water policy has to be avaluated and modernised! Strategic plan is on the way!
FINANCING THE WATER SECTOR IN AUSTRIA • Drinking Water Sector • Urban Waste Water Plants • Natural Hazard Management/Floods Prevention • Ecological River Restoration • Irrigation as a part of the CAP • Renewable Energy-Hydropower • Hydrographical monitoring Network • Training of humanressources and • Raising public awareness G.LIEBEL 10
FINANCING PUBLIC DRINKING WATER / WASTE WATER SERVICIES • Subsidies for communities, water cooperatives and private households • Approx 5500! Drinking water providers • Market participants(private) water companies are not subsidised • Investment in new infrastruture and modernisation is funded, but not the costs for maintainance • Amount of funding depends on the financial situation of the communities • Higher funding for smaler and „poorer“ • Larger companies have their own water/waste water sytems with specific funding 11 G.LIEBEL
PUBLIC DRINKING WATER/WASTE WATER FUNDING SYSTEM 12 Mio Euro • Coordinated support system between Federal State and provinces − Federal funding (Environmental Support Act - UFG) − Provincial grants (balance regional differences) • Investments are subsidized in a range from 10% to 40% (Average 26%) • Water supply systems with an average of 18%-- electronic pipeline system in cooperation with internet providers ( fiber glas system!) • Urban waste water plant with an average of 30% • Fees and charges are collected from the individual water user for drinking water and waste water --- € 5-7 average fee for m3 water including wastewater for private users– prices are socially accepted!
URBAN WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS ≥ 2,000 P. E. 13 • 635 UWWTP ≥ 2,000 p. e. with mostly advanced treatment • As result of domestic efforts: all agglomerations ≥ 2,000 p. e. are connected to collecting + treatment systems RBD Rhine RBD Elbe RBD Danube
FLOOD PREVENTION/ECOLOGICAL RIVER RESTORTAION G.LIEBEL 14 • Floodprevention is an important political issue with long traditition in our alpine country with close cooperation between Federal state and provinces • Long and short time Strategic plan for measures is available - in line with EU Floods Directive • Communities are responsible for floodprotection - have to aply for funding, • Funding varies from 40% to 80% of investment cost • Funding of approx € 150 mio/year is available • In the last 5 years a retention quantity of 11Mio m3 was built • In addition 220 ecological river restoration projects where realised, funding is available from ministry for water and ministry for environment
SMALL WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS 15 greenish: individual / cooperatives < 50 PE red / yellow: individual / cooperatives >50 - 500 PE • As result of domestic efforts also waste water of small agglomerations is collected and treated appropriately • Allocation of around 15,000 small waste water treatment plants
INVESTMENTS IN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE 16 • Since 1959, more than 65 billion euros have been invested in essential water infrastructure • infrastructure facilities are of great value for economic prosperity and need to be maintained • Water loss from the water supply system is around 10 % on average throughout Austria – still decreasing! • 1/3 of the drinking water facilities and 13 % of the sewers are older than 50 years ➔ Investment for refurbishment needs estimated appr. €770 Mio. p.a. • Climate change stimulates quicker investments
TRAINING / AWARENES RAISING G.LIEBEL 17 • Every year around 2000 persons/drinking water and waste water maintance staff is trained on a regulary basis! New technolgies , new legislation and administrative developments! • Training is organised by the to main water stakeholders on private basis • Public information about water has high priority • Ministry is running public awarenss campaines on different social media canals • Generation Blue- information tailord for pupils from 8 to 16 years in close cooperation with ministry for education • Official State Water Award– NEPTUN ; Best projects of local communities, science, schools and art are awarded accompanied by a media • Cooperation with various stakeholders and Länder in promoting the NEPTUN award
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION FOR WATER • Bilateral river commissions with 8 neighboring countries: • jointly address all relevant water management aspects of transboundary surface waters and groundwater • cofinancing of bilateral projects is agreed • Shares on 3 International River Basins (% of national territory) • Danube River Basin (96%) • Rhine River Basin (3%) • Elbe River Basin (1%) Close cooperation within Eastern Partnership and other neighboring countries 18
CONCLUSION G.LIEBEL 19 • Climate change is the main driver for future development in the water sector • Drinking water and waste water systems are under pressure –expansion and extension needs aditional finacial ressources • Irrigation for agriculture needs a new and stronger political discussion-CAP has to guarantee better guidance • Openminded bilateral and multilateral cooperation in all water issues is essential • Public value of water will raise-awareness for water security • Water prices will increase but must follow social aspects • Austria has a long tradition in tailor- made funding and financing systems • Team Europe Initiative could be a perfect platform for cooperation • We stand ready to share our experiences and to continue cooperating with partners in the EaP region

More Related Content

Financing the water sector in Austria.pdf

  • 1. FINANCING THE WATER SECTOR IN AUSTRIA 11th Roundtable on Financing Water 30 and 31 May 2024 Brussels G.LIEBEL 1
  • 2. A Water-Smart Society is one in which the value of water is recognised and realised to ensure water security, sustainability, and resilience; all available water sources are managed so that water scarcity and pollution are avoided; water and resource loops are largely closed to foster a circular economy and optimal resource efficiency; the water system is resilient against the impact of climate and demographic change; and all relevant stakeholders are engaged in guaranteeing sustainable water governance. WATER EUROPE`S DEFINITION OF A WATER SMART SOCIETY 2023 G.LIEBEL 2
  • 3. CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTS ALL WATER RESOURCES AND USERS G.LIEBEL 3 Climate change due to human activities is responsible for an increase in water demand and extreme weather events in Europe, that means • Heavy precipitation and river floods • Aridity / Droughts • Fire weather • Hydro power and Nuclear Power under pressure • Drinking and Waste Water systems have to be evaluated and realigned • Agriculture and Forestry has to adopt in short time • Industry has to find new production methods ➢ A STRATIGIC PLAN FOR ALL WATER RESOURCS AND USERS INCLUDING FINANCING IS ESSENTIAL FOR A SECURE AND RESILLIANT WATER SYSTEM
  • 4. G.LIEBEL 4 MAP SHOWS AREAS WITH ADDITIONAL WATER STRESS Source EEA 2022
  • 5. MAIN EU WATER RELATED LEGISLATION • Water Framework Directive • Drinking Water Directive • Ground Water Directive • Nitrates Directive • Environmental Quality Standards Directive • Urban Wastewater Directive • Nature Restoration Law ? • RED II + III Directive- Repower Act • Industrial Emissions Directive • Bathing Water Directive • Floods Directive • Water Reuse Regulation • ………. G.LIEBEL 5
  • 6. AUSTRIA´S WATER TREASURE • A new study was published to stimulate political debate about water ressources • Even for a water rich country like Austria it is essential to have a closer look at its water resources • The effects of climate change and socio-economic develpoments greatly impact the available water resources and the future water requirements • At the moment 100% of Austrias drinking water comes from groundwater (wells and springs) • Detailed data of water consumption are available for all sectors- exept for agriculture ➢ AUSTRIAS GROUNDWATER RESOURCES WILL DECREASE IN 2050 UP TO 23% DUE TO EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE G.LIEBEL 6
  • 7. ACTUAL WATER DEMAND PER SECTOR/ GROUND + SURFACEWATER IN AUSTRIA G.LIEBEL 7 Austria : 9 Mio inhabitants and 84000 km2
  • 8. WATER DEMAND WILL INCREASE TILL 2050 IN AUSTRIA G.LIEBEL 8
  • 9. AUSTRIAN GROUNDWATERS RESOURCES WILL DECREASE IN 2050 G.LIEBEL 9 Reasons are Climate change and higher demand for drinking water and agriculture Austrias Water policy has to be avaluated and modernised! Strategic plan is on the way!
  • 10. FINANCING THE WATER SECTOR IN AUSTRIA • Drinking Water Sector • Urban Waste Water Plants • Natural Hazard Management/Floods Prevention • Ecological River Restoration • Irrigation as a part of the CAP • Renewable Energy-Hydropower • Hydrographical monitoring Network • Training of humanressources and • Raising public awareness G.LIEBEL 10
  • 11. FINANCING PUBLIC DRINKING WATER / WASTE WATER SERVICIES • Subsidies for communities, water cooperatives and private households • Approx 5500! Drinking water providers • Market participants(private) water companies are not subsidised • Investment in new infrastruture and modernisation is funded, but not the costs for maintainance • Amount of funding depends on the financial situation of the communities • Higher funding for smaler and „poorer“ • Larger companies have their own water/waste water sytems with specific funding 11 G.LIEBEL
  • 12. PUBLIC DRINKING WATER/WASTE WATER FUNDING SYSTEM 12 Mio Euro • Coordinated support system between Federal State and provinces − Federal funding (Environmental Support Act - UFG) − Provincial grants (balance regional differences) • Investments are subsidized in a range from 10% to 40% (Average 26%) • Water supply systems with an average of 18%-- electronic pipeline system in cooperation with internet providers ( fiber glas system!) • Urban waste water plant with an average of 30% • Fees and charges are collected from the individual water user for drinking water and waste water --- € 5-7 average fee for m3 water including wastewater for private users– prices are socially accepted!
  • 13. URBAN WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS ≥ 2,000 P. E. 13 • 635 UWWTP ≥ 2,000 p. e. with mostly advanced treatment • As result of domestic efforts: all agglomerations ≥ 2,000 p. e. are connected to collecting + treatment systems RBD Rhine RBD Elbe RBD Danube
  • 14. FLOOD PREVENTION/ECOLOGICAL RIVER RESTORTAION G.LIEBEL 14 • Floodprevention is an important political issue with long traditition in our alpine country with close cooperation between Federal state and provinces • Long and short time Strategic plan for measures is available - in line with EU Floods Directive • Communities are responsible for floodprotection - have to aply for funding, • Funding varies from 40% to 80% of investment cost • Funding of approx € 150 mio/year is available • In the last 5 years a retention quantity of 11Mio m3 was built • In addition 220 ecological river restoration projects where realised, funding is available from ministry for water and ministry for environment
  • 15. SMALL WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS 15 greenish: individual / cooperatives < 50 PE red / yellow: individual / cooperatives >50 - 500 PE • As result of domestic efforts also waste water of small agglomerations is collected and treated appropriately • Allocation of around 15,000 small waste water treatment plants
  • 16. INVESTMENTS IN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE 16 • Since 1959, more than 65 billion euros have been invested in essential water infrastructure • infrastructure facilities are of great value for economic prosperity and need to be maintained • Water loss from the water supply system is around 10 % on average throughout Austria – still decreasing! • 1/3 of the drinking water facilities and 13 % of the sewers are older than 50 years ➔ Investment for refurbishment needs estimated appr. €770 Mio. p.a. • Climate change stimulates quicker investments
  • 17. TRAINING / AWARENES RAISING G.LIEBEL 17 • Every year around 2000 persons/drinking water and waste water maintance staff is trained on a regulary basis! New technolgies , new legislation and administrative developments! • Training is organised by the to main water stakeholders on private basis • Public information about water has high priority • Ministry is running public awarenss campaines on different social media canals • Generation Blue- information tailord for pupils from 8 to 16 years in close cooperation with ministry for education • Official State Water Award– NEPTUN ; Best projects of local communities, science, schools and art are awarded accompanied by a media • Cooperation with various stakeholders and Länder in promoting the NEPTUN award
  • 18. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION FOR WATER • Bilateral river commissions with 8 neighboring countries: • jointly address all relevant water management aspects of transboundary surface waters and groundwater • cofinancing of bilateral projects is agreed • Shares on 3 International River Basins (% of national territory) • Danube River Basin (96%) • Rhine River Basin (3%) • Elbe River Basin (1%) Close cooperation within Eastern Partnership and other neighboring countries 18
  • 19. CONCLUSION G.LIEBEL 19 • Climate change is the main driver for future development in the water sector • Drinking water and waste water systems are under pressure –expansion and extension needs aditional finacial ressources • Irrigation for agriculture needs a new and stronger political discussion-CAP has to guarantee better guidance • Openminded bilateral and multilateral cooperation in all water issues is essential • Public value of water will raise-awareness for water security • Water prices will increase but must follow social aspects • Austria has a long tradition in tailor- made funding and financing systems • Team Europe Initiative could be a perfect platform for cooperation • We stand ready to share our experiences and to continue cooperating with partners in the EaP region