Home water safety after holidays prompts health guidance and insurance court ruling

Experts advise that after returning from an extended holiday, household tap water should be run for up to 20 minutes before drinking. Kristina Sovik, head of the water‑treatment sector, warned that stagnant water can foster Legionella bacteria, leach heavy metals such as copper or lead, and develop unpleasant taste and odor. Flushing all taps until the water feels cold helps ensure fresh, safe drinking water.

In Austria, the Supreme Court examined a dispute over a water‑damage insurance claim. The homeowner was away for two weeks, while his daughter visited every other day. The insurer invoked a “72‑hour clause” that requires the main water supply to be shut off when a building is unoccupied for more than 72 hours. The court ruled that the brief visits did not constitute sufficient use to satisfy the clause, and upheld the insurer’s refusal to pay the €20,000 portion of the claim.