Is German tap water healthy?
Lead in the water pipes, nitrate in the groundwater: Can the tap water in this country be drunk without hesitation? Can tap water be healthy? The ghosts differ on this question. A look at various studies, legislation and expert interviews reveals how the tap water is healthy and can keep up with commercial mineral water.
Water keeps important bodily functions alive
Water is the basis of all life and essential for the human organism. If too little fluid is absorbed, the mental and physical performance diminish and the metabolism is disturbed. In the form of sweat it cools our body and as urine the water flushes out dangerous pollutants. Without water, circulation and kidneys would fail, at the latest after four days. Even water-rich organs such as muscles, liver, brain, lungs, skin and blood are dependent on it. And because our organism does not store water and therefore can not rely on water reserves, it needs replenishment. And this regularly, because even without much exercise, the body loses about two liters of fluid per day. Because food can only be compensated to a limited extent, the consumption of water is indispensable. This makes it clear that water stands for the most significant food – provided the quality is right. After all, chemical substances that can prove harmful to our organs can also enter the body via the water. But how does this also apply to the tap water and is still the tap water healthy?
Tap water enjoys great confidence
As can be inferred from the term beyond doubt, the tap water comes from the water pipe. The waterworks prepare it before the water is pumped into the pipes and finds its way through the domestic water pipes. Although every German consumes about 140 liters of mineral water per year, which comes from one of the nearly 200 local mineral springs. Nevertheless, the mineral water from the beverage market is increasingly in competition with the water from the tap. In the meantime, only one in three Germans accesses the water bottle. In part, this change of mind can be explained by the costs, which are significantly lower in the case of tap water. Who taps water from the tap, paid per liter only about half a cent – wastewater costs included. You also save the time-consuming hauling of boxes and do something good for the environment by eliminating the PET bottles. Moreover, the confidence that tap water is healthy is great. This proves the study “quality and image of drinking water in Germany” of the Association of municipal companies. For example, around 83 percent of the respondents rated the water from the pipeline as good or very good. 92 percent even assume that tap water is healthy and can be drunk without hesitation.
Drinking water regulation as a guarantor for clean water
Fact is: In this country, tap water is considered the best-controlled food ever. This is ensured by the German Drinking Water Ordinance. It is based on the EC Drinking Water Directive and the German Infection Protection Act. The regulation ensures that the tap water does not exceed the emission limits. Amongst other things, it specifies the physical, biological and chemical parameters on which the extracted groundwater is to be analyzed at regular intervals. The tap water, 70% of which comes from spring and ground water, as well as from dams, lakes, rivers and wells, is analyzed and, if necessary, processed. The water supply companies are responsible for the examination. The waterworks are again under the state supervision of the health department. The quality of the drinking water is ultimately the responsibility of the federal states and their authorities.
Intact piping keeps tap water healthy
The strict requirements that are placed on the waterworks in connection with the preparation and monitoring of the performance water, make it clear that this reaches the German house connections in perfect quality. From the house connection, however, everyone is responsible for ensuring that the tap water remains healthy and of high quality. The material as well as the condition of the in-house water pipes take a high priority. You should exercise great caution, especially if the building has lead pipes, which are still found in some old buildings today. In this context, pollutants such as cadmium, nickel, copper or lead, this is critical for our health. A high iron content, such as rusted pipes, is not harmful. Due to the reddish discoloration, the water is not nice to look at and also tastes a bit unpleasant. Calcium in the water does not hurt, calcium is an important mineral. However, lime is unfavorable for coffee makers, kettles and similar appliances as calcified kitchen appliances require more power.
Mineral water performs worse
Provided your own water pipes are in perfect condition, the tap water is healthy and at least as good as the bottled water. If the test results of the Stiftung Warentest are considered, the Hahnenwasser cuts even better. Of the total of 29 tested mineral water, the experts did not consider any really recommendable. In every third bottle, the examiners found germs that can be particularly alarming for babies and immunodeficiency. The testers also found that the mineral water despite the name hardly contains minerals such as sodium, calcium and magnesium. In addition, many bottles are insufficiently labeled. By comparison, studies have proven for years that tap water is healthy. Reports from the Federal Environmental Agency on drinking water quality confirm the low level of microbial contamination and the good mineral content of tap water. This is not surprising, especially since the Mineral Water Regulation, in contrast to the Drinking Water Ordinance does not prescribe tests for nitrate or pesticides.
