Drinking water and drinking water systems
Drinking water is our most important foodstuff. The average consumption is currently 128 litres per day per inhabitant. In addition to drinking and preparing food, it is used for domestic purposes such as cleaning the body and washing laundry. The quality of drinking water in Germany must meet high standards. The Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV), which transposes the EU Drinking Water Directive in its current version into national law, sets out these binding requirements. The basic requirements include not only that drinking water must not contain any pathogens or substances in concentrations that are harmful to health, but also that it must be "pure and fit for human consumption"(Section 37 of the Infection Protection Act).
The Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV) also regulates the obligations of the supply companies and the monitoring authorities and determines the microbiological, chemical and radiological parameters to be tested as well as the frequency of drinking water monitoring. In order to ensure the hygienic safety of drinking water, the ordinance also requires that limit values and requirements for water quality are complied with at the taps for drinking water in households.
Further information:
- Federal Health Gazette
- Drinking Water Ordinance
- EU Drinking Water Directive
- Federal Environment Agency Drinking Water Division
- Federal Environment Agency Guide...
- Recommendations and statements on drinking water
- DVGW Code of Practice W 551 and the 3-litre rule
- DGVW Overview of information on drinking water and drinking water installations (twin series)
- DVGW twin No. 15 Notes on drinking water supply at public festivals and similar events
- List of authorised reprocessing agents and disinfection processes (§ 20 list)
- List of alternative microbiological detection methods
- Federal Environment Agency Rainwater utilisation
- Reporting of data on legionella tests carried out in accordance with Section 53 (4) of the German Drinking Water Ordinance to the Federal Environment Agency
- Saarland water suppliers Discover why drinking water from the tap is so good. For you and our environment.
- DVGW energy savings in the hot water sector
In connection with the recurring discussions on comprehensive energy-saving measures, the Saarpfalz district health authority has published an information sheet on energy-saving measures in relation to drinking water (pdf).