From “Holy Springs and Holy Water: Underestimated Sources of Illness?” published last year in the Journal of Water and Health.

Holy water is used throughout life in Catholic ceremonies, holy springs visited for pilgrimage or in cases of illness. Holy water is made at Easter, when tap water is blessed and stored. Our study investigated a variety of holy springs and holy waters in Lower Austria and Burgenland. At each sampling, a sanitary inspection was performed. Odor and appearance were checked on-site. The taste of the water was not assessed. During sampling, we observed people filling up several bottles…