Illegal dumping

Environmental alarm in the middle of a natural jewel on Lake Wörthersee

Shocking results from 25 boreholes in the Buberlemoos near Pörtschach. Illegal filling also threatens Lake Wörthersee.

The Buberlemoos in Pörtschach is considered a natural jewel - according to the recommendation of the provincial government, a natural monument is to be established there as a home for rare animals and plants. The main aim is to prevent the construction of an exclusive lagoon residential project (we reported). 

A soil and water investigation of Rosenbucht has now revealed worrying results: "Decades of illegal backfilling have been confirmed. The inspectors found that the relevant ÖNORM values were significantly exceeded," the report states.

In January, the owners' association commissioned experts to carry out drilling at 25 locations (up to five meters deep). "The limit values for ammonium, naphthalene, PAH 15 and arsenic are up to 57 times higher in the groundwater samples." The results were also forwarded to the responsible BH Klagenfurt Land.

Instead of soil, asphalt, concrete parts and household waste amounting to 24,300 cubic meters had been buried there in the past, contrary to the permit! "I am now handing over the test values to the water rights department. Nature conservation proceedings are underway. We are doing everything we can to ensure that Pörtschach remains a healthy place," says Mayor Silvia Häusl-Benz.