Lichtenstein: VU faction wants to examine multi-purpose storage for Malbun

The VU parliamentary group wants to investigate how the high proportion of drinking water used for snowmaking in Malbun can be significantly reduced and the water supply improved in the long term. Representatives Roger Schädler and Dagmar Bühler-Nigsch have submitted a motion to this effect on behalf of the VU parliamentary group.

The central question is whether a multifunctional, multi-purpose storage facility or another storage solution would be technically, ecologically, and economically viable for Malbun. The government is to examine various locations, storage volumes, water supply options, and technical variants. At the same time, the impacts on nature, landscape, water bodies, alpine pasture management, and energy consumption are to be considered.

The background to this is the current consumption figures: In the 2024/2025 snow season, a total of 80,415 cubic meters of water were needed for snowmaking in Malbun. 42,575 cubic meters of this came from the Schneeflucht drinking water reservoir. This means that more than half of the snowmaking water was drawn from the drinking water supply.

“Water is a valuable resource. That’s why we want to know if we can store water when there is enough of it and make it available specifically for those times when it is needed for snowmaking,” the petitioners explain.

In addition to securing and optimizing the currently snow-covered slopes, the study will also examine the requirements for potentially expanding snowmaking to additional slopes. This will include considering the Sareiser side as a possible option and assessing its water and energy requirements, costs, infrastructure, permitting feasibility, and environmental impact.

Furthermore, a potential reservoir should not be considered solely for snowmaking. The proposal also calls for an examination of other uses, such as for alpine farming, water supply for livestock and alpine pastures, as a fire-fighting water reserve, or as a landscape-compatible recreational and natural area.

The VU parliamentary group explicitly calls for an open-ended review. The goal is a sound basis for decision-making, enabling the state parliament to assess whether and in what form further steps are sensible for sustainable water management and the further development of the Malbun recreational area.