Installations for the supply of drinking water are springs, wells and elevated tanks. These are mainly located above inhabited areas. Wastewater treatment includes combined sewer overflow structures, rainwater retention basins and sewage treatment plants. These plants are mostly located below settlements. The individual sub-areas (water supply - settlement - sewage disposal) are arranged in the flow direction of the water.

Many plant components for urban water infrastructure are therefore located outside settlements and cities. Thus, there is a spatial distance to the settlements. Pipes are used as connecting elements. Pipes transport drinking water to the houses and transport dirty and rain water to the sewage treatment plant. The pipes are installed underground and are mostly located under roads.

This means that most of the urban water infrastructure is not visible from the outside. This is why urban water infrastructure is also referred to as "hidden infrastructure". In the houses, the urban water infrastructure is recognizable by various connections. Examples are the tap, the toilet or the shower.

• 91.8% of the population connected to drinking water systems (rest: private sources or wells)
• 5,500 Water supply companies
• 81,000 km Pipelines
• Provision of 660 million m³/year of drinking water
• Average per capita consumption: 130 l/day
• Investment costs 247 million €/year (maintenance, renovation and new construction)
• Average water price 195-390 € per household (approx. 0.2% of shopping basket)

• 95% of the population connected to public sewerage system
• 1,836 municipal sewage treatment plants
• 13,826 Small sewage treatment plants (up to 50 persons)
• 91.000 km Pipelines
• Investment costs 358 million €/year (maintenance, refurbishment and new construction)
• Average sewage fee 150 - 300 € per household (approx. 0.6% of net income)

The challenges for the future are climate change, larger cities and maintenance.

The older the pipes become, the higher the leakages and losses increase. Therefore, the pipes should be regularly repaired or replaced. For proper operation, approx. 1.5% of the total pipe network should be rehabilitated annually. This means that the pipes will be around 66 years old before they are replaced. However, the current rehabilitation rate is only approx. 0.4%. The pipes must therefore last 250 years.

Climate change is changing the weather. Short but heavy rains will occur more frequently. In particular, such precipitation will push the rainwater drainage system to its limits. In addition, dry periods will become hotter and longer, which means that plants in the garden will have to be watered more. This will increase the demand for water. Austria is a country rich in water and there is sufficient drinking water available. Therefore, problems with too little drinking water will only occur in individual communities. However, the drinking water pipes are designed for an even consumption. If everyone water his garden or fills his swimming pool at the same time, the water demand rises strongly. This can cause short-term problems in the drinking water supply. For example, the fire brigade could lack the water to extinguish the fire.