More and more people are giving up buying mineral water and drinking tap water instead, or making their own carbonated mineral water with so-called soda makers. But is clear water always clean? We inform you about the quality of drinking water here.
Water – a strictly controlled foodstuff
Without liquid, a person can survive only a few days. The healthiest drink for the body is water. Drinking water is obtained from river, lake, spring or ground water. Before it is available for the public network, it goes through several purification steps. The water that comes out of our pipes is subject to the strict regulations of the German Water Ordinance – it is probably the most strictly controlled foodstuff in Germany. So we have healthy water running through our pipes, but it can be contaminated by metals such as copper and lead from water pipes. And what about pollutants like nitrates from the soil?
How clean is our tap water?
More than half of all drinking water pipes in Germany are made of copper. It is true that copper is an essential trace element for humans, of which adults should take in around 1 to 1.5 milligrams daily. However, if the water has an acidic pH below 7, the copper can be dissolved from the pipes and accumulate in the water. Lead water pipes were installed until the 1970s. In larger quantities, lead is toxic, especially to children. Soft water in combination with such pipes can lead to high concentrations of lead in tap water, possibly causing health problems. Therefore, all lead pipes in households should be replaced.
Nitrate and nitrite in drinking water
Nitrate and nitrite are components of fertilizers, among other things. Depending on the oxygen content of the water, they are converted into each other. Nitrate dissolves well in water and can therefore enter groundwater through leaching of soils with rain. In areas where heavy agriculture or intensive viticulture is practiced, nitrate levels may be elevated. According to the Drinking Water Ordinance, the limit value for nitrate is 50 milligrams per liter. If this limit is exceeded, the water must not enter our pipes at all. Drinking water contributes about 25 percent of our nitrate intake, vegetables 60 percent.
Exposure to uranium
Studies have shown several times in recent years that tap water in many regions is too highly contaminated with uranium. The limit is 10 micrograms of uranium per liter of water. This is above the critical level for small children. Families with small children should therefore have their water tested and possibly use bottled mineral water for food preparation – too high uranium levels are marked there by “not suitable for the preparation of infant food.”
Examine tap water
You can buy quick and easy test strips for measuring pH and hardness, among other things, at pharmacies. More accurate water analyses are carried out at your local waterworks and can also be commissioned (for a fee) from independent institutes.
Soda maker yes or no?
Despite the restrictions mentioned above: The strict requirements of the legislature ensure very good water quality in Germany. If you pay attention to a few things when making your own carbonated mineral water, then tap water is an ideal thirst quencher. However, you should keep in mind that your own “sparkling tap water” does not contain the amount of vital minerals (for example, calcium) that store-bought mineral water does. Most people can make up for these deficiencies through a healthy diet. However, for people with special needs (pregnant women, athletes, people with diseases such as osteoporosis or long-lasting diarrhea), it is more beneficial to cover the intake through suitable mineral waters.
This is what you should look for in drinking water
The following tips should be kept in mind when drinking tap water (whether sparkling or not):
- Do not use water that has been sitting in the tap for a long time (in the morning, after work or after a vacation). Draining the water for a short time can minimize harmful substances.
- Bottles in which you fill your water should be absolutely clean and hygienic.
- Prefer glass bottles – they are easier to clean.
- Consume your water as soon as possible. For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator, this protects against germ multiplication.
- Use water for the production of baby / toddler food go to ensure that in your tap water the limits for critical substances are not exceeded. If in doubt, resort to bottled water.