In contrast to many other countries, Austria is able to meet its drinking water requirements entirely from well-protected groundwater resources. Most of the water reaches consumers in a natural state and in excellent quality. Comprehensive monitoring - from source to delivery - ensures a high level of protection for the drinking water supply in Austria.

Drinking water suppliers must have the water they supply analysed at regular intervals. The testing and assessment of drinking water and the monitoring of the water supply system itself may only be carried out by authorised persons or institutes such as AGES.

We analyse water from municipal water supply systems and public utilities throughout Austria, from water cooperatives to private well owners and food businesses. Every year, over 10,000 drinking water samples are analysed for chemical, physical and microbiological parameters. Correct sampling is essential for accurate analyses. This includes an on-site inspection, during which environmental influences, operating conditions and structural conditions are also recorded. This is the only way to rule out influences that could falsify the results of the water analysis.

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Official monitoring of compliance with food law regulations is the responsibility of the provincial governor as the competent authority or the supervisory bodies trained for this purpose. The Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection coordinates the control and monitoring activities of the bodies involved.

A "Multi-year risk-based control plan for drinking water" contributes to the improvement of official drinking water monitoring. This control concept enables new potential hazards to be recognised in good time and appropriate countermeasures to be taken before a problem arises. To this end, proposals for annual priority actions are collected and prioritised by experts from various institutions and discussed and specified in working groups with regard to actual implementation. AGES is also involved in this complex monitoring system to ensure flawless drinking water. It carries out a risk assessment according to scientific criteria and analyses the data using recognised statistical methods.

Private domestic wells or springs, from which around 10% of the Austrian population obtain their drinking water, do not fall within the scope of public monitoring. In their own interest, the owners themselves must carry out regular checks on the quality of the water and the structural condition of the water dispenser.

Operators of a water supply system must inform their customers at least once a year about the current quality of the drinking water supplied: This is done, for example, via the drinking water report.

The drinking water report is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the chemical, physical and microbiological properties of the drinking water, the structural and hygienic situation of the water supply system and the condition of the water supply. For this purpose, data such as the appearance, odour and temperature of the water, the structural condition of the system, etc. are collected by specialist personnel during the sampling process, which is completed by extensive analyses in accredited laboratories.

The values of a drinking water finding represent a snapshot at the time of sampling. Only regular analyses and their comparison with each other make it possible to guarantee the water quality over a long period of time and, if necessary, to maintain it by taking appropriate measures.

Drinking water is the most important foodstuff. Drinking water analyses provide an opportunity to ensure cleanliness and thus safe use.

In the case of private water supplies such as domestic wells or private springs, hygiene problems can occur due to construction defects, storms or damaging events. A data analysis has shown that around 16 per cent of 5,860 drinking water tests carried out by private suppliers did not meet the requirements of the Drinking Water Ordinance, as germs such as E. coli, intestinal enterococci or Pseudomonas aeruginosa were detected. This does not necessarily mean that people fall ill from this water, but that there is a source of contamination in the water system.

E. coli and intestinal enterococci are typical inhabitants of the intestines of animals and humans. Both are considered indicator germs that could indicate faecal contamination, which in principle could also be used to spread real pathogens. E. coli and intestinal enterococci must therefore not be detectable in drinking water.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a typical "wet or puddle germ" that can be found anywhere where there is moisture and traces of organic matter: Flower vases, washbasins, showers, toilets, whirlpool tubs, but also damp flannels or contaminated contact lens fluids. The germs can also be found in some foods and sometimes in tap water. The pseudomonad family of bacteria is one of the most undemanding of all bacteria. They are naturally insensitive to some antibiotics, which is why they also occur as infectious agents in hospital patients after repeated antibiotic administration.

Drinking water testing offers an opportunity to detect contamination and take appropriate action.

Our experts are also available for expert advice. They explain the results of the drinking water test reports and point out measures that need to be taken if the water is not fit for consumption.

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