On average, each of us uses121 liters of water a day: when we are thirsty or want to take a shower, all we have to do is turn on the tap. What a luxury! We took a closer look at the quality of tap water in Germany.
"Very good" rating for tap water from Germany
No other foodstuff is as strictly controlled as tap water in Germany. Although the quality varies because every city has a different supplier, the Federal Environment Agency gave the water quality an overall rating of "very good" in its latest study. The requirements for tap water are sometimes stricter than for bottled mineral water. Drinking tap water in Germany is therefore possible without any problems. To protect our drinking water, you should never dispose of medicines down the drain or cleaning water in gullies.
Old lead pipes? Landlords must be informed
Many people carry mineral water bottles because they believe that old lead or copper pipes in the building could contaminate the drinking water. This concern is often unfounded, as most landlords have already retrofitted the pipes anyway due to the strict regulations. Otherwise, they are obliged to inform their tenants about the old pipes. According to the Drinking Water Ordinance for tap water in Germany, the lead content must not exceed 0.01 milligrams and the copper content must not exceed 2 milligrams per liter. Anyone who suspects that their water may be contaminated can have a sample taken by the local water supplier (approx. 30 euros). By the way: If you are on vacation for a longer period of time, you should leave the water running for longer after returning home. Especially in summer, germs can accumulate in the pipes.
Filtering tap water in Germany: healthy or unnecessary?
Suppliers of water filters advertise that their products remove harmful substances from tap water. However, studies have shown that some devices can worsen water quality. They release undesirable substances such as silver and provide a good breeding ground for germs. However, filtered water tastes better to some people - which is why many coffee and tea drinkers swear by it. Whoever opts for a filter: According to Stiftung Warentest, the "Klin-Tec Pure Water" and the "Brita Elemaris", for example, have hardly any problems with germs.
It all depends on the hardness - be sure to check
Did you know that the correct detergent dosage depends not only on the degree of soiling of the clothes, but also on the water hardness? Or that dishwashers and washing machines calcify more quickly if they are fed with hard water? In any case, it is worth asking your water supplier about the degree of hardness and using machine protection if necessary.