The aim of the focus action "Drinking water in elementary schools and kindergartens after the vacations - monitoring" was to check the quality of drinking water in elementary schools and kindergartens. The aim was to determine whether, after prolonged stagnation of the water in the household supply network, compliance with the applicable food regulations for drinking water is guaranteed.

Of the 240 samples examined from all over Austria, 99.2 percent showed perfect or satisfactory bacteriological test results. Two samples were rejected because the parameter value (= limit value) for enterococci was exceeded. During the summer vacations, schools usually use no or very little water. As a result, the water in the water pipes "stands" for a longer period of time. The water warms up and adverse chemical and bacteriological changes in the water cannot be ruled out. These adverse changes can be minimized by regular water withdrawal or flushing immediately before the start of school.