Waterworks in Vienna

Vienna's water supply system is a vast network of pipes that brings spring water from the Alps directly into every part of the city. The system uses gravity from the mountain sources to transport water without needing pumps, delivering fresh drinking water to tens of thousands of households daily.

The first major pipeline from alpine springs opened in 1873 and marked the start of Vienna's modern water infrastructure. This system became a model for other European cities and shaped how the city developed over the following generations.

The Favoriten Water Tower serves as a public exhibition space where visitors can discover how water reaches homes and shapes daily city life. The displays show the connection between natural sources and modern household supply systems.

The main exhibition space is located in the Favoriten district where visitors can view displays about the water system. It is worth checking opening hours and guided tour availability before planning your visit.

One notable feature is how the system generates electricity from flowing drinking water through a small hydropower plant. This demonstrates how the city extracts additional benefit from its water infrastructure without compromising the quality of the drinking water supply.

Location: Vienna

GPS coordinates: 48.16190,16.52610

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:47