Water supply in Germany – how it works

How the water supply works in Germany is not clear to many. Most Germans are used to clean water always coming out of the tap. But a lot has to happen first for it to work.

Water supply in Germany: What you should know

In Germany, almost the entire population, around 99 percent, is connected to drinking water. Constant access to clean water has thus become a matter of course for most Germans. But in order for us to always have clean water, a lot has to happen.

• About 65 percent of our drinking water in Germany is obtained from groundwater. The rest is so-called groundwater and surface water: it comes mainly from lakes, rivers and dams.
• In order for the water to be used as drinking water, it must be treated and purified using chemical and physical processes, depending on its condition. German drinking water is of very good quality: since drinking water controls in Germany are among the strictest in the world, over 99 percent of drinking water is flawless.
• There are currently 5,850 companies in Germany that ensure the supply of drinking water. If you are concerned about the quality of your drinking water, you can request an annual tap water analysis from these companies.

Water supply in Germany: Is it secure?

Although you can usually rely on clean water coming out of the tap in Germany, reports of water shortages are increasing. This raises the question of how far the water supply in Germany will be secured in the future.

• We speak of “water stress” when more than 20% of the available water is withdrawn. Above this level, the risk of economic and ecological problems increases.
• Generally, there is no water stress in Germany. However, since the amount of rain varies depending on the season and location, there are regional and seasonal differences in the water supply. Especially when temperatures are high, problems can arise in the municipal water supply.
• Solutions must therefore be found for some regions in order to secure the water supply in the years to come. Because with regard to the climate crisis, it is to be expected that water scarcity will continue to increase.