Despite its connotation of possessing cleansing properties, the holy water could actually cause more harm than healing, based on a new Austrian study conducted on "holy" springs.

Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna’s Institute of Hygiene and Applied Immunology have gathered and tested water samples from 18 fonts in Vienna and 21 springs in Austria and discovered that they contain bacteria by up to 62 million per milliliter of water which means that none of these samples were safe to drink.

The tests revealed that 86 percent of the holy water, regularly used in baptism ceremonies and to wet the lips of congregants, was found to be infected with bacteria commonly found in fecal matter such as Campylobacter, enterococci, and E.Coli. Such infection could lead to fever, abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea.

Nitrates which are usually found in fertilizer from farms have also been identified in the water. If these are ingested, nitrate-containing water that is more than the maximum contaminant level could lead to serious illness. The effect is greater among infants that are younger than six months which could become fatal if left untreated, according to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency.

Study researcher and microbiologist Dr. Alexander Kirschner of the Medical University of Vienna has warned people against drinking water that come from the aforementioned sources.

The researchers also looked at the holy water from all hospital chapel and church fonts wherein they also found bacteria. The busier the church is, the higher is its bacterial count.

The finding represents a problem that has been obviously underestimated. It is more gravely felt among hospitals since these places are filled with people that have weakened immune systems.

Several advances have already been made to provide more hygienic uses of the holy water. These include the creation of a holy water dispenser and the addition of salt at a recommended level of 20 percent for disinfecting purposes.

However, Kirschner warns that salt is not a surefire way to prevent infection. He recommends that priests should regularly change the holy water in the churches. Moreover, there should be visible signs that would inform congregants of the dangers and the history of the holy springs.

The study was published in the Journal of Water and Health.