The presence of Staphylococcus aureus in drinking water is a concern because of its potential to cause human infection and also because of its multiple antimicrobial resistance. This study evaluated the water quality of drinking water fountains and mist makers in four municipal parks of São Paulo for 13 months. Although all samples met bacteriological water quality criteria according to Brazilian regulations, the absence of residual chlorine (<0.1 mg/L) was observed. These data were significantly correlated with the frequency of S. aureus that was found in 25.2% of the samples. The mecA gene was detected in 36.7% of the isolates demonstrating its potential for resistance to several antimicrobials. Furthermore, 27.3% isolates carrying the mecA gene had methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) phenotypic potential. The presence of S. aureus with characteristics of microbial resistance in water for human consumption is an unprecedented finding. Hence, conducting surveillance for opportunistic bacteria, such as staphylococci in drinking water, is reasonable to take control measures and to protect human health, especially in public places with high attendance.

饮用水中金黄色葡萄球菌的存在是一个令人担忧的问题，因为它可能引起人类感染，并且还因为它具有多种抗药性。这项研究评估了圣保罗四个市政公园的饮水机和喷雾器的水质历时13个月。尽管所有样品均符合巴西法规规定的细菌学水质标准，但观察到没有残留氯（<0.1 mg / L）。这些数据与在25.2％的样品中发现的金黄色葡萄球菌的频率显着相关。的mecA基因在菌株显示其为电阻电位几个抗微生物剂的36.7％检测基因。此外，携带mecA的分离株占27.3％该基因具有耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌（MRSA）的表型潜力。在人类食用的水中存在具有微生物抗性特征的金黄色葡萄球菌是前所未有的发现。因此，对饮用水中的葡萄球菌等机会性细菌进行监视，对于采取控制措施和保护人体健康是合理的，尤其是在人多的公共场所。