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Alarming water quality: Only one domestic fountain in the Steyr-Land district is perfect!
In the Steyr-Land district, defects were found in domestic fountains that endanger the quality of drinking water. Experts recommend regular checks.
Alarming water quality: Only one domestic fountain in the Steyr-Land district is perfect!
A lot is happening in the Steyr-Land district when it comes to drinking water quality. Between September 2024 and August 2025, 28 private domestic wells were checked as part of the nationwide campaign “For our drinking water on the go”. The results speak for themselves: only one well could be classified as faultless. Of the 28 fountains invited, 16 were unfit for human consumption and 10 were only conditionally fit for human consumption. The investigation has revealed alarming deficiencies that need to be urgently addressed.
What exactly was found? Pesticides were detected in 13 of the wells tested, four of which exceeded the limits. Of particular concern is the nitrate contamination, which was above the maximum permissible level in four wells. These results shed a harsh light on the situation, as water with high nitrate levels is a health risk, especially for small and very young children. The WHO recommends a maximum nitrate level of 10 mg/l for infant formula.
Structural defects and poor covers
Another point of concern is the structural condition of the wells. A total of 18 domestic wells had structural defects. Common problems include inadequate covers, leaky well walls and inadequate well catchments. In addition, there is often a lack of sufficient drainage in the foreshafts. State Councilor Stefan Kaineder (Greens) emphasizes how important regular checks and renovations are to ensure drinking water quality in the long term.
The campaign, which was supported by the Upper Austrian Water Cooperative Construction and Service Service, offers well owners individual advice and recommendations for improving their systems. But this step is not enough: According to the Upper Austrian Chamber of Labor, a total of 934 domestic fountains were tested in 14 municipalities. Here, 5.7% of the samples had nitrate levels above the maximum permissible value, which corresponds to 53 samples exceeding 50 mg/l. Upper Austrian results show that intensive agricultural activities and wastewater seepage are the main cause of high nitrate pollution.
Critical values and health risks
The highest nitrate value was measured in Freistadt at 200 mg/l. In this context, it is alarming to know that boiling water does not improve its quality, but only concentrates the nitrate. Another issue to consider is TFA, which is considered a breakdown product of pesticides and is classified as toxic to reproduction. In samples with high nitrate levels, TFA concentrations were also found that are up to five times higher than the highest levels to date in the region.
The need for regular drinking water analyzes and structural engineering tests is strongly recommended. The health risks associated with contaminated drinking water should not be underestimated, especially for pregnant women and small children. The environmental political situation points out that limit values for nitrates have been set in Europe to protect the health of the population.
Conclusion: The condition of many domestic wells in the Steyr-Land district shows that there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure the safety and quality of our drinking water. Those responsible are required not only to eliminate the existing deficiencies, but also to pay attention to preventative measures.