Abteilung WasserwirtschaftBML - BM für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Regionen und Wasserwirtschaft

The Water Management Department within the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Water Management (BMLRT) is a central federal agency responsible for the planning, funding, and supervision of hydraulic engineering projects in Austria under water law and hydraulic engineering legislation. Its tasks include, among others, the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive, the promotion of aquatic ecological measures (e.g., river renaturation, fish passage facilities), urban water management (wastewater treatment plants, municipal water supply), as well as technical flood protection and agricultural water engineering. The department is divided into specialist units for hydraulic engineering, aquatic ecology, urban water management, and the Hydrography and Hydrology division. It works closely with external entities such as Wasser Tirol – Ressourcenmanagement-GmbH and the district construction offices in the implementation of cross-regional projects.

The Water Management Department is committed to sustainable and climate-resilient management of water resources in Austria. By combining ecological restoration, efficient flood protection, and modern urban water management, a high standard of water body protection is to be achieved, biodiversity promoted, and supply security ensured in both rural and urban regions.

The funding programs of the Department of Water Management are aimed at municipalities and municipal associations wishing to construct or modernize water and wastewater facilities, operators of water and energy supply systems, as well as fisheries, agricultural enterprises seeking to compensate for hydromorphological impacts in flowing waters, and specialist planners and companies in the field of hydraulic engineering and aquatic ecology.