[The Vienna School of Water Hygiene from the End of World War II until now]

[170 years of struggle of the Viennese physicians for hygienically safe drinking water]

Discussions in the Society of Physicians in Vienna about the connection between water contamination and typhoid outbreaks began in 1838. The basis of the water supply at that time was house wells partly drawing contaminated ground water and for a limited area the Kaiser-Ferdinand-Pipeline was useful. After many investigations on quantities and qualities of possible water sources and controversial discussions between Viennese politicians and the Society of Physicians, the latter strictly turned down the usage of surface water. In October 1865 the Society demanded that the source Kaiserbrunn in the Höllental and two other sources nearby in the Limestone Alps should be used for the Viennese water supply. After initial opposition in the municipal council and an outbreak of cholera in Vienna, the erection of the 1st Viennese Mountain-source Water Pipeline was started and the Pipeline was opened in 1873. Because of its insufficient quantity of water for the growing town the Society of Physicians became active again, supported by the Institute of hygiene founded in 1875. This resulted in the erection of the 2nd Viennese Mountain-source Water Pipeline, which was opened in 1910. A threat which had to be met were repeated plans for tourist developments.