Abstract: In a process for the elimination of germs, especially the removal of algae from water by means of water soluble quaternary ammonium compositions a polymeric salt of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 hydrocarbon group,m and n are a number of from 4 to 12 regardless of each other,x is a number of from 10 to 300, andhal is chlorine, bromine, or iodineis added to the water as the quaternary ammonium composition in an amount of more than 0.1 ppm and the process is carried out in the absence of heavy metal ions.