Public water supplies face monthly checks, but private wells do not

Public drinking water supplies in Styria can be inspected as often as once a month, while private wells have no mandatory testing schedule, ORF Steiermark reports. The issue has come into focus after a routine check found contamination in the tap water in Oberzeiring, in the Murtal district.

About 90 percent of the roughly 220,000 water connections in Styria are managed by public suppliers, such as municipalities and regional water associations. Suppliers must monitor their own facilities and document checks. The frequency of official inspections depends on how much water a facility provides.

Laboratory results from the food safety authority can take several days because samples are warmed, or incubated, to test for bacteria. Contamination most commonly occurs when surface water enters supplies after heavy rain or flooding, or through slurry or fertiliser. A comprehensive inspection of an entire facility is required at least every five years.

Private well owners are not subject to required inspections. Wolfgang Hatzi of the Stainztal Water Association urged them to take responsibility for testing, saying checks should be carried out at least once or twice a year. He said owners could use test strips or arrange for a laboratory to analyse a sample. Depending on the scope, a test costs between 150 and 200 euros.