Drinking water analysis – ensuring our water quality

Drinking water is an important part of life. Each year, every German consumes an average of 125 liters. The tap water from the waterworks has proven to be of high quality thanks to strict regulations. Nevertheless, the water does not always leave the tap clean. Because water contaminated by bacteria or heavy metals can cause health problems, the Drinking Water Ordinance sets strict limits. A drinking water analysis checks that these are not exceeded.

Trinkwasseranalyse-Ein Wasserwerk in dem Wasser aufbereitet wird

Regular drinking water analysis required by law

On 09.01.2018 a new version of the Drinking Water Ordinance came into force. Based on a revised EC Drinking Water Directive, the specifications for the analysis procedures and the drinking water monitoring programs have been updated. This should better take into account technical and scientific progress. Further changes have made consumer protection clearer. Administrators or owners of residential buildings are then obliged to perform an analysis of the drinking water regularly and to have the results documented. The drinking water of the water supplier is generally perfect and has pH values between 6.5 and 9.5 when leaving the waterworks. This corridor of pH corresponds to the legal requirements. However, drinking water can be polluted by different impurities on the way from the house supply to the extraction point. In particular taps, pipes and pipe systems are often sources where the drinking water is contaminated with bacteria or heavy metals. Because this is usually not the case for water, drinking water analysis is needed.

• Water contamination by bacteria

This is especially due to taps. The pearlescent filter at the tap serves as germs and bacteria as an optimal basis for propagation. But too low a temperature in the hot water circuit and damage to pipes and the house installation can lead to a bacterial load and health hazards. Dangers threaten in particular in the form of legionella and coli bacteria. These can be reliably determined on the basis of a drinking water analysis.

• Water pollution by heavy metals

This is mostly the result of chemical reactions in pipes. By so-called stagnation water, which lingers longer in the pipes, can be discharged from the pipe material high concentrations of the drinking water, if the water pipes are made of metal and are getting old. A drinking water analysis provides information on the extent to which the heavy metals exceed the legally prescribed limit values.

Trinkwasseranalyse-Mikroskop mit dem Untersuchungen angestellt werden

Drinking water analysis to determine the water quality

Using a drinking water analysis, you can analyze the quality of the water and thus determine possible strains. This can reliably determine whether the water can be drunk without hesitation and used for cooking. There are various ways to test your drinking water. As part of the chemical analysis of drinking water, for example, the water is specifically checked for minerals and heavy metals. In the microbiological analysis, however, the focus is on testing for bacterial pathogens. In addition, you can also determine the water hardness.

A drinking water analysis can investigate the following parameters:

• Chemical parameters • Microbiological parameters

– Iron – Legionella

– Magnesium – E. coli (Escherichia coli)

– Calcium – Coliforms

– Nitrate – Total germ count 22 degrees C

– Nitrite – Total bacterial count 36 degrees C

– Zinc

– Phosphorus

– Potassium

– Sodium

– Sulfate

– Nickel

– Manganese

– Chrome

– Aluminum

– Copper

– Lead

– Water hardness

Drinking water analysis basically recommended

A drinking water analysis is generally appropriate for all households in which tap water is used to drink or prepare food. Especially recommended is an analysis of the drinking water in the following cases:

• People with immunodeficiency

Health hazards arising from contaminated water can have serious consequences especially for immunocompromised persons. Even a low bacterial count of coliform bacteria can cause severe diarrheal diseases.

• Own well

By means of drinking water analysis, for example, it is possible to detect dangerous heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury as well as coliform bacteria in well water. In agriculturally used regions, nitrate from nitrogen fertilization can also pollute the water. Because private wells are not as tightly controlled as drinking water wells of municipal or municipal utilities, regular water analysis is particularly important here.

• Newly installed copper pipes

The vital trace elements include copper. Excessive recordings, however, can lead to health problems. Children are particularly sensitive to an excessive intake of copper. An analysis of the drinking water for the determination of copper concentrations is particularly useful if old pipelines have been rehabilitated or new copper pipes have been laid in the new building. Only with time, namely forms inside the water pipe, a protective layer, which largely prevents the release of copper.

• Old buildings

For residents of old buildings, a drinking water analysis is highly recommended. An opinion of the Lower Saxony state health department shows that lead tubes are still found in numerous home installations, although they would have to be replaced by law in old existing buildings. Especially with long periods lead can dissolve and harm especially children, especially as this heavy metal is considered one of the triggers for mental development disorders.

Overview – commission drinking water analysis for the following reasons

– Too low DHW temperature, too high chilled water temperature

– Barely used faucets, showers

– Detached apartments (stagnant water)

– Porous seals and lack of installation

– Lack of maintenance of water filters (e.g., bacteria)

– Faucets (for example nickel)

– Pipes in old buildings (for example lead)

– Water pipes in new buildings (for example copper)

Drinking water analysis prevents legionella contamination

Legionella are rod-shaped bacteria that often have their hotbed in drinking water systems and are the cause of some fatal pneumonia. This is caused by the inhalation of bacteria-containing water-air mixtures, for example in whirlpools, by air conditioning or while showering. Every homeowner has to ensure according to the regulations of the Drinking Water Ordinance that suitable drinking water supply points for a drinking water analysis are available. Findings from more than 100 colony-forming units (CFUs) in the analysis must be reported by the laboratory directly to the responsible health department. In addition, in such a case, as a homeowner, you must take steps to eradicate legionella within appropriate time limits. On request, you can also provide local residents with up-to-date information about the quality of the drinking water provided. In addition, examination results must be archived for at least a period of 10 years. These specifications apply inter alia to multi-family houses with at least one leased unit.

Hire professional institutes

For drinking water analysis, use only accredited laboratories listed by the German Accreditation Body (DAkks). Such laboratories are entitled to remove the drinking water in accordance with § 15 Abs. 4 TrinkwV. Note that violations of the Drinking Water Ordinance constitute a misdemeanor and can be punished with fines of up to 25,000 euros. Furthermore, affected tenants have a right to claim damages or compensation.