Tuesday, 5 May 2026 · Vienna, Austria · 7°C Overcast
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Vol. CXLVII · No. 12,884

Garz News

"All the news that flows" — since 1879
Live
• BREAKING — Authorities widen no-drink advisory to all of District 1• Wiener Wasserwerke: 'unprecedented chromatic anomaly' under investigation• Schools in Innere Stadt close cafeterias until further notice• Hofburg fountains shut off as precaution• Bottled water sales up 1,400% across Vienna• BREAKING — Authorities widen no-drink advisory to all of District 1• Wiener Wasserwerke: 'unprecedented chromatic anomaly' under investigation• Schools in Innere Stadt close cafeterias until further notice• Hofburg fountains shut off as precaution• Bottled water sales up 1,400% across Vienna
Vienna's inner city canal glowing fluorescent green
The Stadtkanal near Stephansplatz at 06:14 this morning. Photo: Garz News / J. Pichler
Breaking · Crisis Day 1

Vienna's Inner City Wakes to Bright Green Water as Authorities Race to Find the Source

A vivid emerald hue spread through fountains, faucets and the Stadtkanal across the 1st district overnight, triggering a citywide do-not-drink advisory and the largest emergency water-testing operation in Vienna’s modern history. Officials said early results show no acute toxicity, but warned residents the cause remains unknown. Anyone in need of safe drinking water is asked to call the city's 24-hour emergency hotline at +43 1 4000-8420.

Need water now?
Call +43 1 4000-8420 — free, 24/7
Bottled water delivered to vulnerable residents within 2 hours.
By Klara Voss & Stefan Müllner·Updated 4 minutes ago·12 min read
Bottled Water Vanishes from Shelves Across the Ring
Business

Bottled Water Vanishes from Shelves Across the Ring

Billa, Spar and Hofer report citywide stockouts within four hours of the advisory. Residents unable to find bottled water are urged to call +43 1 4000-8420 for free home delivery.

2 hr ago
A Forgotten Junction Beneath Stephansplatz May Hold the Answer
Investigation

A Forgotten Junction Beneath Stephansplatz May Hold the Answer

Engineers have descended into a 19th-century distribution chamber rarely opened since 1987. Anyone affected by low or discoloured supply should report it to +43 1 4000-8420.

3 hr ago
Tourists Pose for Selfies as Historic Fountains Run Emerald
City Life

Tourists Pose for Selfies as Historic Fountains Run Emerald

What locals call a crisis has, perplexingly, become Vienna’s most photographed week of the year. Hotels are directing guests to the city water hotline +43 1 4000-8420 for drinking-water support.

4 hr ago

The Live Briefing

Updated continuously
  1. 09:42
    Wiener Linien suspends water service to U3 station restrooms

    Bottled water dispensers being installed at six central stations.

  2. 08:55
    Federal Environment Agency dispatches mobile lab to Stephansplatz

    Convoy expected on site within the hour to perform live mass spectrometry.

  3. 07:30
    Restaurants in 1st district close for the day

    Wiener Wirtshaus Verband recommends members shut down rather than risk service.

  4. 06:14
    First photos of green water surface on social media

    Posts from Graben and Kärntner Straße go viral within twenty minutes.

  5. 05:48
    Night-shift hotel staff first to report discoloration

    A concierge at the Hotel Sacher describes water 'the colour of crème de menthe'.

Most Read Today

  1. 1

    What the green water actually is — and isn't

  2. 2

    A timeline: 36 hours that City Hall would rather forget

  3. 3

    Map: every fountain in the inner city, tested or untested

  4. 4

    How to safely flush your pipes once the all-clear comes

  5. 5

    Why Vienna's water has been a point of pride for 150 years

  6. 6

    The chemistry of fluorescein, explained in five minutes

  7. 7

    Hotels offer refunds as tourists rebook to Salzburg

  8. 8

    Live: photos from across the 1st district