Drinking water analysis

In Germany, drinking water is supplied to every household in excellent quality and at low cost. Regular tests ensure that the legal requirements and limit values are met.

The extensive tests carried out by the water supply companies are supplemented by official inspections by the health authorities.

Drinking water installation systems (i.e. all drinking water pipes and fittings) in buildings used by the public (e.g. hospitals, nurseries, etc.) are also monitored in accordance with special health authority requirements.

In addition, the domestic installations in larger apartment buildings must be checked for legionella at regular intervals. Further information on the subject of legionella in drinking water installations can be found on the homepage of the Hessian Ministry for Social Affairs and Integration (HMSI).

If, in exceptional cases, despite all these monitoring measures, there are changes in the taste, smell or color of the drinking water or if there is a suspicion that the drinking water contains dangerous germs or hazardous substances, it is recommended that you contact the responsible authorities directly.

• the local health authority responsible
• the water supply company or
• in the event of problems with the drinking water installation, also to the other owner of the water supply system (e.g. homeowner)

However, if you would like to have your drinking water tested yourself, contact a suitably qualified testing center. Each federal state maintains a list of approved testing laboratories that meet the requirements of the Drinking Water Ordinance. You can have your drinking water tested at these laboratories at your own expense.

Do not take the sample yourself, the sampling procedure is standardized. Incorrect sampling will falsify the analysis.

The current versions of the Hessian state list of drinking water testing laboratories and an excerpt of the drinking water testing laboratories on the Hessian state list that are accredited for the Legionella spec parameter can be downloaded from the links below.

If you contact one of the offices listed below in writing or by telephone, you should describe the impairments found as well as possible (e.g. turbidity, taste, odor or other findings). This information may give the experts an indication of the type of contamination.

Employees of the water supply company or the public health department or testing agencies commissioned by them can come to your household or business and take a drinking water sample. This will be analyzed in the laboratory to find the cause of the contamination.

Tip: You can obtain information about drinking water from your local health authority, your water supply company, the German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water (DVGW) and the Federal Environment Agency.

• for official drinking water tests due to a consumer complaint: None
  For more information, please contact your local health authority.

• For information on the costs of self-initiated testing by recognized drinking water laboratories, please contact the relevant testing laboratory.