Technical tours complement the conference programme adding the fresh air from the practical field to the conference venue. We offer two technical tours that take you out of Vienna to one of Austria’s largest drinking water suppliers or to one of Austria’s largest renaturation initiatives. Make your choice.
Technical Tour No.1 (Petronell)
This half-day technical tour takes participants to a drinking water treatment plant in Petronell-Carnuntum, which is located 35 kilometres southeast of Vienna.
The tour features interactive sessions with technical specialists and provides comprehensive, in-depth insights into plant operation, including ultrafiltration, low-pressure reverse osmosis, active carbon filtration and UV disinfection.
Run by EVN Water GmbH, one of Austria’s largest drinking water suppliers, this facility is one of the most advanced treatment plants in Austria. Additionally, the site is a great example of modern water resource management because it combines riparian revitalisation measures with sustainable drinking water supply systems.
Planned restoration efforts in the nearby Danube Floodplain National Park involve reconnecting the Petronell side arm system, which was separated from the Danube during river regulation in 1890. This restores year-round flow dynamics and recreates valuable floodplain habitats. This innovative, nature-based solution revitalises the riparian ecosystem and will also enhance groundwater capacity in the well field area.
After the technical tour, we will have a lunch at a ‘Heuriger’, a traditional Austrian restaurant located in a vineyard. Afterwards the bus will stop briefly at the Heidentor, a Roman-era landmark, where there will be an opportunity for photographs (maximum 30 minutes) before we head back to Vienna.
Technical Tour No.2 (Traisen)
This one-day technical tour offers a unique two-part insight into water management in Austria, guided by experts from Verbund, Austria’s largest electricity provider, which covers around 40 percent of electricity demands in Austria and generates 90 percent thereof from hydro power. The Traisen is one of the largest rivers in the region Lower Austria. During the construction of the Danube hydropower plant Altenwörth from 1973 to 1976, the Traisen was extended by 7.5 km and today flows downstream of the power plant. The riverbed ran in a straight line and uniformly. In a large LIFE+ project, the straightened course was broken up, and the mouth of the Traisen into the Danube was completely recreated.
First, you will explore the Traisen River Restoration Project – one of Austria’s largest renaturation initiatives. Between 2013 and 2019, the straightened lower Traisen was transformed into a dynamic, near-natural riparian landscape. You will see how a completely new river course, complete with floodplains, still waters, and a large estuary zone on the Danube, was created. The project enhances biodiversity, provides fish passability for over 30 species, and contributes to the Natura 2000 habitat – all while maintaining flood protection and groundwater stability.
After a warm lunch break at a nearby restaurant, the tour continues to the Altenwörth Hydropower Station on the Danube. It is the most powerful power plant (328 MW) on the Danube River. In the coming years, the power plant will be equipped with Lower Austria’s longest fish passage.
For more information visit Renaturation of the Traisen.
