Central
Art. 10(10) of the Austrian Constitution gives the Federal level competence to govern water rights and control waters for floods and navigation; Art. 10(12) gives the Federal level competence for pollution emissions to the environment (water bodies).
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism is responsible for:
- implementation of water policy,
- monitoring and assessment of groundwater and surface water,
- enforcement of regulations, economic analysis,
- preparation of the RBMPs, PoM, and the FRMPs (especially regarding water legislation, navigation and torrent control)
- coordination of public participation
- implementation of measures and the coordination of implementation
- international cooperation via the international commissions for the Danube, Elbe and Rhine, and via bilateral agreements
Regional
Provinces/federal states are responsible for:
- implementation and enforcement of national laws (including some concerning water)
- emergency flood management and legislation,
- flood warning and defence
- contributing to the preparation of the FRMP and RBMP
- setting standards and rules for waste water treatment
- implementation of measures and the coordination of implementation
- management of water supply and wastewater treatment, in coordination with the federal level
Local
Municipalities are responsible for:
- local compliance with regional and federal laws (regarding drinking water and wastewater
- regular monitoring of drinking water
- water supply, sewerage and waste water treatment (either directly or via municipally owned companies)
- implementation of measures and the coordination of implementation
Responsible ministries/bodies
Central
Regional
- Provinces (Länder)
- Provincial governors (Landeshauptfrau/Landeshauptmann)
Local
- District administrative authorities (Bezirksverwaltungsbehörde)
- Local authorities – municipalities (Gemeinde)
Sources
