Drinking water is the most important food. Drinking water testing provides a way to ensure cleanliness and thus safe use.
In the case of private water supplies such as domestic wells or proprietary springs, hygiene problems can arise in the event of structural defects caused by severe weather or damaging events. Around 16 percent of 5,860 drinking water tests carried out by private senders do not meet the requirements of the Drinking Water Ordinance, as germs such as E. coli, enterococci or Pseudomonas aeruginosa were detected. This does not mean that people are getting sick from this water, but that there is a source of contamination in the water system.
E. coli and enterococci are typical intestinal inhabitants in animals and humans. Both are considered indicator germs, i.e., signs of fecal contamination through which, in principle, true pathogens could also be spread. Therefore, E. coli and enterococci must not be detectable in drinking water.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a typical "wet or puddle germ" found wherever there is moisture and traces of organic matter: Flower vases, sinks, showers, toilets, whirlpool tubs, as well as wet washcloths or contaminated contact lens fluids. The germs are also found in some foods and sometimes in tap water. The bacterial family of pseudomonads is one of the most undemanding bacteria around. They are naturally insensitive to some antibiotics, which is why they also appear as infectious agents in hospital patients after repeated antibiotic administration . With the amendment to the Drinking Water Ordinance 2017, a guideline value of 0 CFU/100ml applies to Pseudomonas in the tap network.
A drinking water analysis offers a possibility to detect the contamination and to act accordingly.
Our experts are also available for expert advice. They explain the results of the expert opinions of the drinking water examinations and point out measures that have to be taken if the water is not marketable. Drinking water examinations function by means of so-called step controls (source, elevated tank, individual lines of the pipelines). In this way, the causes of contamination can usually be found quickly.
