The quality requirements for animal drinking water are not as high as the requirements of the Drinking Water Ordinance. Nevertheless, the hygienic condition of many samples from private well systems is questionable. Almost half of the samples tested were heavily contaminated with coliform germs and enterococci. The culprits are often pipelines in poor condition, biofilms in the well shaft, open well shafts, unsuitable intermediate containers with excessively long stagnation times, contaminated garden hoses and dirty drinking troughs.
Such often invisible hygiene deficiencies can have a very negative impact on animal health. Reason enough to inspect the animal watering system and check the water quality.