Drinking Water Quality

"Food No. 1," our drinking water, must be of such a nature that its consumption and use do not endanger human health, particularly through pathogens.

For water extraction and water supply facilities, this means that planning, construction, modification, maintenance, and operation must be carried out in accordance with generally accepted engineering standards. These facilities are monitored by the Fulda District. Anyone who operates or intends to operate such a facility—see Section 54(1) of the Drinking Water Supply Regulations—must report this to the Public Health Department. The registration forms for drinking water facilities and non-drinking water facilities can be found in the download section on this page.

Requirements for Water Supply Systems

Ban on Lead Pipes: Anyone who uses lead pipes or lead components in their home plumbing system is required to replace them. If in doubt, licensed gas and water contractors can identify and replace them. Drinking water tests conducted by an accredited laboratory can also confirm or rule out the presence of lead in drinking water.

Requirement to Test for Legionella: Anyone who operates a mobile water supply system, a building water supply system, or a temporary water supply system must test the drinking water for Legionella if it is supplied as part of a commercial or public activity.

Water for Swimming Pools and Bathing Waters

The quality of water in swimming and bathing pools must be such that its use poses no health risk. The operator must demonstrate compliance with these requirements by having the bathing water tested regularly by the public health department. Since there is currently no regulation governing swimming pool water in Germany, the supervisory authorities primarily rely on relevant DIN standards (in particular DIN 19643 and the 2013 recommendation from the Federal Environment Agency).

Bathing waters are also monitored regularly. The Fulda district is home to one official EU bathing water site: Lake Guckaisee in Poppenhausen. Before the season begins, the duration of the swimming season and a monitoring schedule—including the corresponding sampling—must be established and submitted to the Hessian State Office for the Environment and Geology. The public health department may issue swimming bans or advise against swimming. This information is posted on-site and also announced publicly.